INTO THEIR POCKETS

Ed is the Account Executive for a company known as in2mobility LLC, located at 1360 Ocean Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.  Mr. Daniel Lamar is the CEO of the corporation.  According to the Better Business Bureau of New York City, they are not listed. Their philosophy as stated on their website is “providing the best quality and customer care service!”

Fairview Nursing Care Center, located at 69-70 has been using Ed's services to purchase or assist in purchasing Home Health Care Products.  Having used the facilities of the center, the social worker services along with the rehab facility decide and/or recommend products needed for the home so that the patient can return and make the home safe.   Products include:  3-in-one portable toilet, rollaider, walker, and shower chairs. 

Having been admitted for issues regarding my knee, I was in need of a chairlift in order to enter and exit my basement stairs, which leads to the bathroom and bedroom.  My leaving Fairview was contingent on my being able to purchase a stairlift. Ed was aware of this as well as viewing my situation having visited my room and rehab area.   When it was clear that I would be returning home, with a date of a little over two weeks, I requested information and costs from Ed.  Having given the date of May 15^th, 2015 being my release, I chose in2mobility. 

Ed did go to my home to take measurements, at which time,  Juan , a neighbor, was present to let him in. Juan was a bit concerned about the stairlift’s fit.  When speaking with Ed about this he told me that he would take care of all costs to include the installation, use of electrical outlet and if anything had to be “cut”.  

In order to have the chairlift installed, it was necessary to have someone present.  There was much procrastination on Ed's part.  A week prior, he then told me that I would have to put a 50% down payment of $1325 and did so.  I had to request an invoice showing the payment.  Ed was not able to furnish me with a hard copy invoice but did send it via my email.  The invoice does not reflect the address of the company other than “Brooklyn, NY”.  To contact the company one must either use their contact form on their website or call a phone number that seems to only allow one to leave a message.  Ed gave me an address of 1415 Avenue R, saying that that was where the accountant is located. 

Although he had first told me that they could install the stairlift on Monday, the 11^th, he kept putting it off until Thursday, the 14^th. 

Jo, the co-owner of my home  was present, along with the installer.  I had asked Ed to be there when the installer arrived and/or before he left.  He first agreed, but did not make an attempt to go there, saying that he had other things that he had to do.  The issue involved a part of a door frame that may have had to be removed in order for my legs to fit going in from the top and exiting from the top.  The installer convinced Jo that it was not necessary. 

I returned home on the 15^th and Ed soon showed up to check on the stairlift as well as all the devices being used.  I was unable to use the stairlift, first without removing the bannister located on the opposite side of the chair.  I had to have two people remove it.  I could not swivel on the chair as my knees did not fit past the door frame on the side of the bannister.  In order for me to use the chairlift, I have to place it in the position facing the “bannister” and step onto the foot rest, hang onto the wall and make my way onto the chair.  The opposite was true for when I came up the stairs. 

It was Ed  who instructed me to use the foot rest as a step.  However, it came clear days later that the foot rest is not to be stood on as the weight could break it.  At one point, a friend pointed out that the foot rest was beginning to give way. 

Mr. Lee Michaels, the name of which he gave me, and the customer service person from in2mobility, called me on Monday, May 18^th asking about the chairlift.  I told him what occurred and his only concern was about how he was not making money on the cost, due to other issues involving the installation.  I told him that I would stop the check.  He said, “Don’t do that. I want to make you happy and take care of what we need to do”.  He again made it a point to talk about his not making a profit.  He then told me that he would call me the next day, Tuesday, May 19.  This did not happen.  I emailed Ed on Wednesday and he said that Mr. Michaels would be calling my today. This did not happen.

Mr. Michaels did finally call saying that he was unable to assist as his wife was having emergency surgery. Mr. Michaels tells me that nothing can be done until Tuesday, May 26^th, more than a week after the installation.  He keeps saying that he wants to “make me happy”.  

Mr. Michaels, who appears to have another last name when calling his phone number first said that he would call an installer today, Thursday, May 21 and get back with me.  I waited for his phone call and then called him.  He simply said that he would take care of it Tuesday, and did not acknowledge his agreement to call me today. When I commented that I would be seeking a law suit, he said, “Enjoy”.  

Mr. Michaels called me on Friday saying that he would send someone over to work on the frame piece for the price of $300.  I turned it down and told him that the check had been stopped.  I also told him that initially, Ed had said that he would take care of this matter during the sales agreement. 

There is only one bathroom in the apartment and it is located in the basement, along with my bedroom and clothing.  

Owner of the company calls me on Wednesday, May 27th.  He says that I asked to speak with him.  He mentions this twice in the conversation.  I never asked to speak with him.   I relate story.  He says that he has to retrain customer service.  Tries to get my trust by giving me his cell phone number saying that he doesn't give it out to everyone.  He thinks he is doing a "make her feel special" line.  Sets it up to come to my home next Wednesday with an installer.   Has every intention of charging me for any construction work.  Then he hears how much I was paying and does this big surprise of no one gets that stairlift for that price.  

I am having so much difficulty with it.  My knee is beginning to hurt again and putting weight on that ankle is doing a number.   It is quite difficult to get off the stairlift when returning upstairs.  Here is how I see it.  Ed gave me an oral contract of what would be included.  Otherwise there is no written contract.  I paid half the price and have no intention on paying the other half.  Stairlift is no totally functional for me.  I'm going to hire someone to do a bit of construction and allow them to take me to small claims court if they so choose.  

DAYS OF OUR LEAVES WITH FRESH DIRECT

Tales of my stay at and leave of Fairview Nursing and Care Center continues as a soap opera. I will get to that in the next issue.  For now, I would like to focus on what I needed to be waiting for me when I got home…food.  Having already gotten more than a little help from my friends, I decided to place an order via Fresh Direct. 

As in Pea Pod, you have to rely on the food store to choose the best of what you want as well as noting how it arrives.  Not that it was the most important, but I found that both Pea Pod and Fresh Direct not to deliver my ice cream in a frozen state.

I chose each item for a different purpose.  Let’s begin with one of a huge variety of 4-minute meals.  

They are pre-cooked and all you have to do is microwave.  I decided to sample the Ginger Teriyaki Chicken.  I did not heat it up.  I think I got used to the temperature of the food at Fairview.  Chicken breast was a decent size and came with a nutty sprouted grain hijiki pilaf, and steamed veggies of broccoli, snow peas, carrots and so tender enoki mushrooms.  Sauce enhanced the entrée and well worth the price of about $9.  You would certainly pay a lot more at a restaurant.  Great idea for when company is coming and each person desires a different cuisine. 

Meat test.  Pork without antibiotics.  Opted for a rib-in pork loin chop.  Beef – Loin t-bone steak, high quality to compare to eating at a steak house.  I have to keep in mind that I am the one cooking it!  Oops, did cook it to first find that just about the entire tenderloin portion had been removed prior to it being vacuum packed.  Big disappointment!!

Another meat…organic ground beef patties was $9.99 lb. May not be organic but a company called Pat LaFrieda has a less expensive variety including a blend of short rib, chuck, shoulder and brisket for $6.99 lb and on sale you can get two or more pounds for $5.99 lb. 

Fish.  I went for a whole snapper and asked to have them filet it and include the parts cut off.  Got four portions out of it and froze the bones for a soup stock.  Quite fresh and a good choice for a meaty and tender fish.  Fried it with ginger and a bit of olive oil. 

Had to have a half-gallon of milk and Fresh Direct has a variety of Ronnybrook dairy.  Pasteurized but not homogenized. Mmmmm.  Went well with the blondies from their bakery department.  Okay, but I would still rather have Fairytale Brownies.

Fruits and vegetables are a must.  Blueberries are in season.  Would they be sweet and tasty?  Family Tree Farms Jumbo Ultra Premium were ultra good.  I need a bit of citrus so I went for a couple of Farm Fresh Pixie seedless tangerines and eating half at a time as a snack.  Variety of avocados to choose from. I opted for Shanley Farms Gator Eggs. These small size avocados come in an egg carton.  Perfect portion. 

I was looking for a package of dried fruit and really hit a homer on their brand of dried mangoes that come in a resealable bag.  Rather than simple chew on them, I soak a few pieces in water, chop in up and combine with an avocado or just chew a much softer piece as a snack.  The leftover water makes for an excellent juice. 

Onto vegetables.  I wanted to test an artichoke to see if I would be given one that is totally green and closed.  Yes, it was.  Would you pay $5 for one artichoke?  It was so totally worth it! Fully closed, no brown spots and all I needed to do was place in a pot, water about 1/3 up from choke and drizzle with olive oil.  This was by far the best artichoke I ever had!  Next time I will stuff it with ground pork and Panko with Italian seasonings.

There is this new product from a company called Organic Girl.  Mache Rosettes.  Very delicious greens!  If I’m going to have potatoes I want ones that I don’t need to add salt, butter or anything else.  Ruby Micro Potatoes.  Bake in my NuWave oven and pop them in my mouth.  Great side to the steak that I also cooked along with it. 

Being a chocoholic I noticed a brand that I haven’t tried called Antica Dolceria Bonojuto Dark Chocolate.  I opted for the bar that also contained cardamom.  Wow was that good.  Savored it by eating two small squares at a time and only once per day. 

Here is the sum of it.  Fresh Direct has their own brands of food as well as many that are most likely not available at your nearby supermarket.  They get new products quite often and items do go on sale.  You can expect the best in most cases and if you are not satisfied, you can call them, explain and get credit.  Delivery has a minimum order of $30 in most of the Tri-State area.  However, you are welcome to place an order and pick it up at their facility in Long Island City.  www.freshdirect.com

DAYS OF OUR LEAVES

My fair view of Grand Central Parkway will soon be terminating.  Knowing when you’re checking out of this nursing and rehab center is important in order to look towards changes that I may have to make in my home as well as what equipment will be provided and what you would have to purchase. What will Medicare pay for? I am first told that I will be leaving on the 15^th but a few days later get info from the PA saying, “2-3 weeks”.  I am not going to be cured so, what will an extra week or so make a difference?

It is Wednesday the 6^th when a podiatrist finally comes to visit.  A rehab person had put a little too much pressure on my toes when stretching some muscles and seemed to have injured one of my toes where it would hurt when walked.  I didn’t get that it was broken, but perhaps sprained.   He wanted to get an x-ray taken.  As he is examining my feet I tell him about what occurred.   He is cutting my toe nails.  I wonder what Medicare gets charged to have a podiatrist cut you toe nails vs. having a pedicure. 

Just afterward he asks, “How did you injured yourself?”  I repeat the scenario realizing  that he must have zoned out when I told him.  He comments on discoloration in the lower portion of my legs saying that he would be ordering a certain test.  I look up the name of the test and remember that I had this test done within the first two days of being at the hospital. 

I do tell someone but a person shows up on Thursday anyway as I tell them not to do it.  They did not explain that it was a different test.  More so I question the timing.  Doctors and nurses here have seen the discoloration as early as over a month ago, so why test now?  Another Medicare charge.

Report on toe, I am told that it is degenerative.  If so, why did I not experience the pain prior to the manipulation? Why did a nurse visit me two days later wanting to bandage it?

I am so looking forward to doing my own cooking.  Saturday night dinner was “pizza and a chef’s salad”.  The pizza was two pieces of mini pita pocket with jarred sauce and some small of amount of some sort of cheese.  The chef’s salad was no different from the normal iceberg lettuce salad.  No hard boiled egg or any sort of meat.   Why even call it a “chef’s salad”?  The alternate was a tuna wrap but they said they already ran out of them.  In the long run I was able to get a tuna platter.  What was so difficult in taking the tuna and making into a wrap?

Mother’s Day menu. You would think that they would want to show off a bit since many people would be coming to visit their mothers.  Roast turkey…deli turkey with pre-package gravy.  Herb stuffing…more like a mystery stuffing.  Corn bread….not.  Mother’s Day cupcake…oy vey.  

Dinner was totally inedible.   Fettucini Alfredo was like paste.  Sauce from a jar and totally tasteless.  Sauteed Zuccchini. Heavens knows what it was sautéed with and tasted awful.  Chocolate pudding that came out of a can and no sweetness.  I think they gave me the diabetic one, despite instructions of “no diabetic food”. 

Back to leaving. I call the social services person and told that LIJ will be getting back with me on both rehab and aide.  But she doesn’t know when. WHAT? I have to know about the aide so that I can inform Access-A-Ride as other things that need to be planned the day I get home.  Will the PA get the people she promised to talk with me the next day?  Will I leave when planned?  Will my blood pressure rise? Stay tuned for the next episode of Days of Our Leaves!

VIEW OF FAIR GETTING DIMMER

My view of this fair nursing home and rehab center in Forest Hills gets dimmer by the day.  It is last Wednesday when I again ask when they intend to release me.  Aside from the problems with the food, lack communication and keeping agreements, I need to know how to prepare my home in regards to any needed medical equipment including a stair lift.  I am told that they will be meeting the next day with different staff members. 

Thursday passes and I call the Patient Advocate.  I am not clear who exactly makes the decision but much is based on the findings in physical and occupations therapy.

Friday morning my favorite aide Cena tells me that I have to be out of the room by 9am as electricians will be doing work in the rooms.  Quick breakfast, wash up, dress and time for therapy.  I am told that I will be going straight to the main dining room for lunch.   Back up to my room and find a dirty paper plate in my garbage.  An electrician must have eaten in my room.  Did he sit on my bed, my chair? Why was he even eating while on the job?

I call down to talk with staff.  A few minutes later there is a man standing in the entrance to my room.  He does not knock as instructed.   He is carrying a full plate of food.  I comment about someone eating in my room.  He apologizes and says that he stopped by to see if he left anything in the room.  Really? How was he going to be looking with his hands full?  It is a corner room way down the hall and perfect to slip into and chomp down one’s food.   I decide to wheel myself out and look for him to confront.   They all took a lunch break, I’m told.  Free lunch obtained from the kitchen and use the time for other than lunch.

I spoke with everyone I could as it occurred to me that if they saw no harm in eating in the patient’s room, what else would they think of getting away with?  I pressed the issue until the person that hired the company called their boss. 

Now the Patient Advocate and her assistant show up in my room.  We talk about what occurred and the PA says to me. “By the way, I have good news and bad news, but I’ll come back later to talk with you about it.”  She never returns and now it is the weekend and the administrative staff are off.  OMG. She is leaving me with these thoughts.   Why would she be taking this position and do this?   I am feeling hopelessness, filled with lies and weekend of crummy food. She calls in sick on Monday.

I am clear that the weekend kitchen staff wants to do as little work as possible for their money.  I must commend the nursing staff, therapists and many of the aides that do take pride in their jobs.   Without the excellent therapy staff, I wouldn’t be able to walk and go home in less than two weeks as I finally find out.  So they say.

Incidentally, some wonderful staff member brought me some Arroz Caldo for breakfast.  I must now seek out a Filipino restaurant to write about.