General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI'm in a nursing home, been here since right after Thanksgiving last year and my wife just called me
We own a mobile home that we bought in 1999 and it is sitting in a mobile home park, trailer park, or as the owners like to call it, a" Sherwood Forest Mobile Home Community, Greenville, Ohio", call it what you will.
Its about 10 miles from the nursing home and she worries about me getting sick. So far feel good. Temp hovering in the 97 degree range with occasional poke into low 98's.
I have a roommate my age (65) and he has stage 4 lung cancer and dementia. We've been together about 3 1/2 weeks now. He hasn't shown any Corona signs of fever yet but to be expected he is coughing alot. (He's also in Hospice care for past 2 weeks).
The nursing home is on shutdown as of 3 days ago. No visitors. Family or friends can drop things off but they have to leave them outside and an aide brings it in. I can visit with her through a closed window.
She just called me while I was watching "The Flintstones" instead of watching TrumpleThinSkin, and told me that park management had left a notice on the door that lot rent was going up by $10 a month. We currently pay $280/mo. Now for the really good news. We can pay that much by signing a lease for the $290/mo. or go month to month for an extra $50.($330 mo.)
These are the same bastards that started charging us for water last year.(another$40/mo.) And a 3/4 months after they installed the water meters, with me in the nursing home, the pipe before the meter busted and since I couldn't fix it, it cost about $300 to fix it. Then a month or so later it started leaking in another place but my wife found a guy that fixed it all with pex tubing for $65. So far no more leaks.
I've since found out that the water company this place contracted the water service too is the same one in Michigan that poisoned Flint, Michigan's water, is one and the same.
And since my wife and I are disabled and on fixed incomes, it could be difficult to move out.
I guess the next thing will be my wife and/or I will get sick.
We can always hope.
Take care all. I'll just wave from over here.
samplegirl
(11,415 posts)your wife needs you.
question everything
(47,264 posts)Are there senior assistants in the state?
Try to resist these measures. I am sure you are not alone.
TEB
(12,716 posts)totodeinhere
(13,034 posts)other stories like yours right now. I'm lucky I guess that I'm still at home but I have underlying conditions and I'm 73 so if I get it I will probably be in a world of hurt. Regarding your nursing home, I think it's a travesty that they only locked the place down three days ago. They should have done that long ago. We have known since January that this is coming.
projectiboga
(53 posts)Stay well.
Your water is likely a well, and hopefully newer than the 1970s, if so your whole system before the meter should have no lead.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,746 posts)some ten or eleven years ago. Even then, I was shocked at what the rental rates for the spaces were. And the out of state owners raised the rent every single year.
That was a temp job for me, and about a year later, two other people I knew were working in that mobile home park. They'd been assured by the owners that there would be no rent increase that year. But then they raised the rents anyway. My friends both quit the job.
Unless you honestly think you can get your unit moved in the next few months, sign the lease. And then see if there is anywhere else you can move to.
back at ya
bearssoapbox
(1,408 posts)I'm going to sign and hopefully my wife and I won't get sick. Meanwhile I can get stronger while I'm here and research my alternatives. Due to some physical problems I gained a bunch of weight because I was bedridden and I have to retrain and strengthen some muscles, lose weight,(so far since getting here last year right after Thanksgiving I've lost 90+lbs.) I'm also relearning to walk. Before the shutdown, when I was up to 120' with a walker I was getting stamina and endurance back. Now I'm walking back and forth in 18ft. room plus exercises.
I'll make it.
AG is good idea or maybe Ombudsman, Area Agency On Aging. Found those after quick check. If nothing else maybe can get light shone on the cockroaches.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)The pandemic brings out the worst in greedy people. If the Mayor doesnt work then contact the governors office, your Senator and Congressman.
Dont give in. If they evict people for not paying more theyre going to find themselves with empty mobile homes.
Mersky
(4,969 posts)Yall shouldnt have to deal with lease increases* on top of their negligence right now. Contact your Congress persons (state and federal) in the meantime.
Otherwise, Im wondering if any DU legal minds from Ohio could go into tenants rights and such in the state?
I like your voice and manner - you sound like a good sport that shouldnt have to put up with seemingly unethical property owners.
Eta: *Im considering the water billing change as a rate increase (Never mind the repair costs, ugh!). So, combined with this years increase, it comes out to be quite a jump in total costs to stay there. Smells predatory, and I dont like it.
MLAA
(17,163 posts)Seriously sending you guys a little love from Southern AZ💕
captain queeg
(10,035 posts)Historically they tended to be small mom and pop operations but some of these financial parasites realized that most people were stuck there and couldnt afford to move.
erronis
(14,944 posts)living in trailer parks. Sometimes multiple people and multiple families in one unit.
In my area these are the only accommodations available given the payments allowed by Medicare and Medicaid. And they leave scant money for any other necessities.
Meanwhile the rich get richer and the rest of us get screwed.
KT2000
(20,544 posts)and I'm sorry about the rental conundrum. His/her timing sure stinks.
Mr.Bill
(24,103 posts)We are in Northern California and there is no rent control in our city or county. We moved in four years ago and at that time we were given the option to sign a ten year lease that limits rent hikes to 3% a year. The lease can be broken by us at any time by selling the mobile home. We signed it, and it is a comfort to know that while there will be a small increase every year, we at least know how much it is and when it will happen.
I used to worry about what will happen when the ten year lease expires, but our Governor recently signed a law to limit rent increases to 5% per year in Senior parks like ours. Many localities have rent control laws for Senior parks but this is the first statewide law of it's kind.
applegrove
(118,012 posts)reporter.
GOPricklepants
(34 posts)I'm in your area, so I know of the nursing home issues in Troy and surrounding area (Koester Pavillion and Springmeade). The local news might be able to shame them into a reversal if you shared your story with them.
bearssoapbox
(1,408 posts)That's terrible about those two nursing homes. I'm surprised that The Heartland in Piqua hasn't made the news. I was there for little over a year until they sold it and it went to hell.
I'm researching. I don't go into something unless I can win or change what I'm going after.
Have gotten a few ideas from replies to this post.
We have a bunch of smart, caring people in the DU family.
DENVERPOPS
(8,677 posts)Sometimes they are more afraid of bad press that publicly humiliates them more than any other thing. The mere threat of revealing the Corporations name in the media broadcasts, which shows them as picking on the disadvantaged often frightens them into backing off........
(Doesn't work with politicians anymore, because they all gloat and are gleeful with the publicity........)
calimary
(80,693 posts)Especially something that raises the hackles up on viewers. Local predators targeting a nice elderly couple.
Contact the local media.
AND your Congressmember and Senator. Yours can't be the only complaint like this, that they're getting. Maybe yours will be the straw that breaks the camel's back and makes it clear SOMETHING'S gotta be done about it.
Virtual hugs to both of you!
Rebl2
(13,303 posts)Kind of surprised your nursing home just closed to outside visitors 3 days ago. My parents nursing home in Missouri shut down two weeks ago to outside visitors. Same with my aunt and uncle that live in Findlay, Ohio in assisted living-shut down two weeks ago.
bearssoapbox
(1,408 posts)My roommate had about a dozen family members to visit on 3/8/20.
I stayed out until they left. My brother and his wife came up and we went outside and sat in garden area 6=ft. apart. They aren't showing any symptoms yet.
After they left I got out my Clorox wipes and had aides help me wipe room down since I have mobility problems. had no trouble getting help but they wondered what I was doing it for. They told me that they hadn't been told about wiping surfaces.
Funny thing though. On 3/12/20 they, the nursing home, started wiping surfaces. Probably just a coincidence.
Wonder how the place will react when my wife brings the UV air purifier I ordered. I've ordered 2 more. That way she'll have 2 for the house and I am going to try and put 2 in room.
Looking for UV wand purifiers also.
Told wife it might be to late but it's best I can do.
Watch, do all this stuff then Ill be sure and get sick.
Joinfortmill
(14,237 posts)Maru Kitteh
(28,303 posts)Do NOT be afraid of telling them very nicely "I'm sorry but would you mind washing your hands first?" when they come in the room to see you. Contact your ombudsman if you see anything that makes you uncomfortable.
As an RN myself, all I can say is may we all get through this, together.
Stay in touch, we'll be thinking of you and your wife.
bearssoapbox
(1,408 posts)If I don't see them wash or sanitize I pick up my bottle ready to squirt. They've been pretty good so far.
A few of them will help wipe down areas with my clorox wipes since I can't get around very well. They would rather help than pick me up. I'm about 450lbs. down from 525 last November.
My sense of humor might help also and I'm not afraid to help when I can.
ButSeeYa
(273 posts)Warpy
(110,900 posts)I'd advise your wife to sign the lease, moving one of those "mobile" homes is hella expensive and likely other park owners are jacking up their rates while they can get away with it.
I lived in a decent park over 20 years ago, moved to a centrally located house in what used to be slumburbia when interest rates went down, so I know what she's up against. Next year it'll be $300, maybe more the following year if the economy hasn't gone completely down the pan.
I think the mobile went out before we bought it. It's an '88' and been here a while.
I'll continue to try and be a burr under the saddle as much as I can.
As in stay a bug in the appropriate ears.
Warpy
(110,900 posts)with the metal siding, metal roofs, and 70s design in favor of the newer styles with peaked roofs and cheap Masonite siding. Yours is new enough not to be subject to that. The guy who bought mine moved it out to a lot in a small town. There are few tornadoes here so manufactured housing makes a lot of sense for a lot of people. As of last year, the tin can next door was still stubbornly in place.
bearssoapbox
(1,408 posts)We do the best we can. I just have to keep a low profile while reporting wrongs to the right places.
I haven't been around much so I don't have a real feel for the new management or owners.
Not crazy about the owners, so far.
SleeplessinSoCal
(8,994 posts)What a fine mess TrumpleThinSkin got us in.
Be well.
bearssoapbox
(1,408 posts)Wellness vibes to you and yours.
Heartstrings
(7,349 posts)Were all in this together and here for you....
bearssoapbox
(1,408 posts)Lots of goodness here at DU.
Karadeniz
(22,269 posts)At this time. I wish the two of you the best in dealing with your problems...good luck!❤
pdxflyboy
(672 posts)Please stay healthy!!
spanone
(135,632 posts)marble falls
(56,358 posts)lillypaddle
(9,580 posts)it must be a terribly helpless feeling being at everyone's "mercy." My very best wishes to both of you for good health, and fingers crossed that your plumbing and landlord cooperate to make life a little easier.
Stay in touch and keep us posted.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)w100jmi
(97 posts)My grandmother lives at the brethren home. She's stir crazy because they won't let residents walk beyond their hallway. I moved to sc 8 years ago and try to make it up during spring break and Thanksgiving to see family but we probably won't make it up for spring ☹️😔 eat a Jim's hot dog and maid rite for me! I really hope situation gets better for you and your wife soon
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)That's true in the apartment complex where I live here in N.M.
12 month lease for me is cheapest (but not cheap).
6 month lease is a bit more money monthly.
Month to month is most expensive.
Sorry for your situation.
This seems to be a time when people show their true colors,
and some ain't pretty.
lefthandedskyhook
(951 posts)Best wishes to you and yours
warmfeet
(3,321 posts)I am not giving up my dream, not anytime soon.
Please take care. I hope you get better.