AL residents told they can no longer eat downstairs with the IL residents or they will be charged. There is no communication about this and still when I ask there is nothing written but they were stopped from going down the elevator at dinner time. Is this legal or what can I do or say to the director and the new head of food and beverage who are dictating these new procedures. This is in Illinois.
I had never thought of this dining room situation before. Before signing up for independent living, be sure there is not too much interaction with higher levels of care. It can really be depressing for the independent residents. They are not paying to be exposed to this situation. I am not at all against anyone in AL or SNF, they should just be separated. Remember that AL includes cognitively impaired individuals. It is probably considered stimulating for AL population to be around independent adults, but it should not be expected for IL residents to have to deal with these things.
In some facilities, the independent residents may act as volunteers with residents at higher care levels. They may transport wheelchair users to PT, or be friendly visitors to play cards, or even have lunch together occasionally, but they are VOLUNTEERING their time. Socializing should not be required.