A Connected Heart

I have to respond to this deceitful review by rainey77200 because she only mentions a few details without giving a full explanation. Efforts were underway to finish projects on the building which as any business owner knows was almost unaffordable. The business was licensed until 07 but due to Katrina destruction, many families begged me to help with their loved ones, which the Mississippi State Dept. of Health allowed. Immediately after Katrina, additions were made to the building to house additional residents, including a very costly commercial fire sprinkler system, which was approved and passed by the health department. However, this work took 3 years to complete, and since it was unfinished in 07 and still in 08 the health dept. would not relicense me until it was done...and for four months in 09 they were called but too understaffed to come inspect the work that was done. Then around June 09 i did place rainey77200's dad at the request of her stepmother who loved our home and will verify these facts to anyone who is interested. Rainey accused us of overmedicating her father which even the investigator said did not happen. She still has not answered why she bought us presents and thanked us (hugging us) for the wonderful care her dad received, after his passing and probably will not do so. Her father was interviewed by myself and a nurse prior to placement and he seemed appropriate. However, soon after placement, he began to hit my staff and bite them, due to his Alheimer's/dementia condition. This was told to his wife and it was also suggested he be placed in another facility, which his wife refused adamantly and she stated, "He gets the best care in your home." Rainey77200 and her stepmother had been arguing for years over the care of her father. Just google her screen name and you will see this. My staff attempted many times to feed him and offer him fluids but he fought us..he would not even let us administer meds to him. Yes, i was charged with six counts of neglect and plead no contest at the advice of my attorney. The charges were due to me not having a dietician for certain residents that were on special diets. I was unaware of this regulation, that is no excuse, but i had consulted with dieticians and prepared food accordingly. All of my families (over 50) will be more than happy to speak to anyone interested in knowing the truth. I had NOT applied numerous times for a license because i knew my building was not ready to be licensed. Rainey77200 knows nothing about the truth of this matter and of course i will defend myself and would have done more of that if i had more knowledge of the legal system. She made a false accusation and i could not afford to hire better legal representation. The department of health and human services also came out to my home and assessed my residents and found NO HARM OR NEGLECT! I did make some costly errors, but no resident was ever harmed. My home was referred by many of the local doctors and health agencies. There are many unlicensed homes in existence that have never had a license and the health dept. has overlooked them..why i do not know. They also do not have sprinkler systems or other safety measures as mine does. I poured my heart and soul and life savings into my business. I had a license for 4 years and was doing my best to obtain a larger bed license which now will never happen due to rainey77200's accusations. She is the real cause of harm in this whole situation - people need to know the truth!

As the owner of this facility, I would like to invite any family or individual in need of our service to come by at any time and evaluate the validity of this review. Any person who has ever owned their own business can testify that malicious individuals (terminated staff) will sometimes try to smear the reputation of their past workplace. It is unfortunate, but impossible to prevent. Our home is always open to the public and we are confident that those who enter will be pleased with the love and warmth that is shown to our residents and families. (References available)