PETITION TO RETURN MOLLIE HOME

This Petition is long however, Mollie is worth your time. 
For over a year Mollie has been forced against her will to stay in a nursing home in Hillsboro Ohio by a family member. Mollie gave the family member power to "Only" pay her bills with her income. Mollie was diagnosed with dementia in the early 90's. If Mollie signed another P.O.A. document "Without" an Advocate by her side to explain her Civil Rights, Mollie would not have understood what she was signing. Mollie would have been taken advantage of, which did happen.
 
Mollie's daughter Jane stayed with Mollie as her caregiver for over 3 years at Mollie's apartment in Hillsboro Ohio. It proved to be successful keeping Mollie in a home environment due to Mollie receiving one on one care. On June 3, 2007 Mollie went in the nursing home for short term stay only due to Jane needing surgery. After Jane recovered Mollie would return home and Jane would resume her care.
 
Jane found out the P.O.A. was going to keep Mollie in the nursing home permanently. Jane immediately filed for Guardianship of Mollie's person only. The P.O.A. became angry, he informed Jane,"he was the one in Authority and if she challenged him, Jane would regret it. While Mollie was in the nursing home and Jane recovering from surgery, the P.O.A. closed Mollie's apartment down, changed the lock on the front door while Jane was out. Jane was forced out of her Mother's home and put out on the street, with her two small pets and no where to go. The P.O.A. informed Mollie she would be staying at the nursing home permanently. The P.O.A. goal was to make sure there was no home to take Mollie to when they went to Court for the Guardianship Hearing.

Mollie's health deteriorated quickly at the nursing home due to poor care and neglect. Mollie sat in urine and feces for months. Mollie has chronic urinary track infections. Mollie was not kept clean. The monthly urine cultures Mollie's doctor ordered were not done. Urinary track infections are very hard on the elderly, if not caught right away by doing the urine cultures,  the elderly become very confused and disoriented. If the infection goes into the blood stream they can die. Unfortunately Mollie had two blood transfusions due to infections in her body since being forced to stay at the nursing home.

Mollie has poor blood circulation and congestive heart failure. If Mollie's legs aren't kept elevated she has a hard time breathing. Also her legs will swell and begin to ulcerate. The social worker at the nursing home informed Jane, "they would not make Mollie keep her legs elevated." Jane explained, "it's not an option," if Mollie's legs aren't kept elevated most of the day, she will have serious medical problems. It's a very simple thing to do. The social worker kept her word, they refused to help keep Mollie's legs elevated.  Mollie has almost died due to poor care and abusive neglect. There are pictures of Mollie's legs with large open bleeding wounds with infection seeping out. Pictures don't lie! Mollie's legs were healed before going into the nursing home.
 
On Nov. 14, 2007 the day of the Guardianship Hearing Mollie was rushed to emergency with Congestive Heart Failure. Nine days later Mollie rushed again to emergency. Mollie had fallen, a deep wound to the top of her head, blood gushing everywhere. At the hospital, it was discovered Mollie also had a full blown urinary track infection, ulcerated leg and bleeding bedsores. It was obvious the nursing home was not bathing Mollie. The nursing home staff ignored a sore on Mollie's finger for months. It was only after Mollie's hand swelled twice its size she was rushed to emergency, she had to have a blood transfusion. Mollie was returned to the nursing home, rushed back again to emergency due to Kidney Failure.

Jane contacted all the advocate Agencies for the Elderly, they refused to help, The advocates told Jane, "to get an attorney. Even the Ombudsman Advocate for the Elderly in the nursing home stated, "Mollie was not getting proper care," but still refused to help.

Jane borrowed $2000 and hired an attorney. Jane's Attorney was intimidated by the "good ole boys,"in Hillsboro Ohio. The P.O.A. is in law enforcement, "his" Attorney and the Judge are friends and were once attorney's at the same law firm. Jane's Attorney sweated and shook profusely while in Court and was a "Yes" man for the other side. Jane's Attorney did not Fight for Mollie's Rights. He made no "Objections"when Jane was attacked by the P.O.A.'s Attorney. Mollie was not even allowed to be present or speak at the first Hearing August 6, 2007. Mollie wanted to explain to the Judge, "she wanted to return home to live with her daughter. The Judge completely ignored what Mollie wanted. The Judge didn't even consider asking the nursing home "Doctor" if Mollie could return home. Mollie didn't need skilled care, there was no reason to force her to stay at the nursing home.

The Judge gave the guardianship to the P.O.A. because of his law enforcement position in the community. This person never has taken care of Mollie, has no understanding of Mollie's medical or personal needs. He only saw Mollie 3-4 times a month in over 3 yrs. The Judge without just cause or reason informed Jane, "he was not granting her any visitations to see her Mother." Jane was labeled a trouble maker because she called the Ohio State Health Dept.  on the nursing home because of the obvious poor care and neglect of Mollie's medical needs. It was Jane's Right as a daughter to do so!

The Judge also told Jane, " to write a letter of apology to the P.O.A."  Jane took care of Mollie for over 3 years without any help from the family member, P.O.A.  Jane saved Mollie's life, why should she write a letter of apology? Even the P.O.A. stated in Court, "Jane took good care of Mollie."

The P.O.A. and his Attorney talked to the Judge "Outside" of the Courtroom procedure. The P.O.A. willingly & knowingly made false statements against Jane's good name in order to secure the Guardianship. The Judge chose to believe the lies and showed obvious favoritism of the P.O.A. in Court at the expense of Mollie's life.
 
Jane had evidence she was telling the truth but the Judge refused her evidence to be heard in Court. The Judge failed to consider the P.O.A. had no evidence of proof why Mollie should stay in a nursing home and no evidence of wrong doing on Jane's part. These men in law enforcement made wrong choices without consideration for what was in Mollies best interest. It was apparent the Judge's goal was to give Guardianship to the P.O.A. These men took Mollie's Freedom and her Dignity. Mollie felt betrayed by a person she loves with all her heart. The most shamful act was to separate , for over a year, Mollie who is now 90 years old, from her daughter Jane. Mollie is at the end of her life, Jane lives 5 minutes away from the nursing home. To take away Mollie's daughter, the one person Mollie counted on daily for over 3 yrs was an act of cruelty.
 
The judge told Jane," it wouldn't do her any good to file an Appeal." Jane filed an Appeal anyway without the help of an Attorney due to income restrictions. Jane had no knowledge of the law, she was up against giants. After Jane lost her Appeal she tried frantically to find an attorney that would take the case to The Ohio Supreme Court. No one would step forward and take the case. October 6, 2008 was the last day Jane could file with the Ohio Supreme Court. That was the day Jane wept along time. She had promised Mollie she would do her best to bring her home and now all was lost. Since August 17, 2007 Jane has not been allowed to visit Mollie at the nursing home. When Mollie saw Jane, Mollie would always want Jane to take her home. The P.O.A.'s plan was to completely get rid of Jane, then Mollie would submit to staying at the nursing home.
 
Laws need to be changed to protect the Elderly. Power Of attorney Documents, Guardianship Procedures need to be revised. What worked five years ago may not work now. People change and go in different directions. New Procedures, Better Training and sensitivity classes need to be put in place for the nursing homes. The rooms are too small and the bathrooms are inadequate for an elder to use. Monitors need to be used to secure the safety of the elders. A person from the State needs to stay on site to prevent poor care and abuse. The "Key" is  hiring "Enough" Qualified Medical Staff and Aides in All" nursing homes. One Nurse and Two Aides taking care of 10-15 (plus) residents is "Not" Acceptable! This is Not 24-7 Care! This is "One" story among "Many" where an Elder has been neglected, abused and taken advantage of.
 
Jane is requesting a Petition for New Elder Laws To Be Put In Place along With Better Nursing Home Facilities With Improved Structure and Procedures to Protect Our Elderly. We're All getting older we must fix this problem before it's TOO LATE! This problem affects "All" of us! 

Mollie begged to come home, the worse part she could have.
Mollie was forced to live among strangers when she could have been home with loving family.

 November 14, 2007 Mollie's voice was not allowed to be heard. Mollie's Rights were violated in every sense of the word. There must be someone that can help Mollie out of this terrible situation she had no control of. Someone must step forward and allow  Mollie's voice to be heard by Petitioning Mollie be set Free and released from the Guardian holding her Prisoner at the nursing home.

Mollie needs an advocate that is on "Her' side to express her wishes!

Out of respect for Mollie's pain and suffering, if a Miracle happens and New Laws are put in place for the Elderly, the New Law should be called "MOLLIE'S LAW." 
By The Grace Of God, let this Petition get to President elect Obama.

Respectfully,
Jane Branson
Hillsboro, Ohio