My parents have lived at Seabrook (an Erickson Community) almost 20 years. My father served on the Erickson Regional Board as a Seabrook resident for a number of years.
This past week, my 101-year-old father was dying. The full-time aide called me to let me know. My mother called security. Security moved him from the bed to the floor and started CPR. The aide called me back and Security said that they were doing CPR. I said "NO!" My father has a Do Not Resuscitate Order, posted exactly where the Seabrook process says to post it. Many hours had been spent to make sure that the forms were completed, signed by the doctor and put into the correct place. Security had failed to even look for the form, violating their own process.
When I arrived, two local police officers were there. The police were waiting for the go-ahead to release the body and the scene. The bedroom door was shut. My mother had been told that we should not go into the room before the transport that we had arranged came for his body. This indicated that they did not think anyone should go to say their last goodbyes.
The transport took several hours to arrive, and my 98-year-old mother needed something from her bedroom. I went in and quickly understood the compassionate warning. To perform CPR, Security had moved my father from his bed to the floor. CPR is violent, especially on such an elderly person. He was left, just like that. It was shocking to me, his only son. I have been a firefighter. At my first fire, I saw a lump with a blanket over it. I asked what it was. The response? The family dog, covered out of respect for the feelings of the family. My father was not even covered by the bedsheet right next to him.
I am reeling with the callousness. The lack of professionalism. The total disregard of the process Seabrook (an Erickson Community) has created themselves. The only consolation is that my father was no doubt already gone when they started CPR on his small and frail body; if not, CPR would surely have killed him. This experience - which should have been peaceful - has traumatized myself, my 98-year-old mother, my two sisters and the rest of the family.
This should not have happened, not to my father and not to anyone. But I challenge you to search for my father, Allan Ostar, online. He was a very distinguished individual. A veteran of WWII, a member of the 42nd Rainbow Division, a liberator of Dachau Concentration Camp. His valor was recognized then with the Bronze Star and later, he was inducted into the French Legion of Honor.
He went on to a multi-decade career promoting public higher education as the founding president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. He provided visionary and practical guidance. One example is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, which operated from 1972 until 1997. AASCU worked with colleges across the country to build a program that allowed our servicemen and women to earn college credits at any of the participating colleges and graduate from the one where they take the last course. You might possibly know of one or more veterans who have benefitted. He was given an award from the Secretary of Defense for this achievement.
Erickson and Seabrook should be deeply ashamed. There is no excuse for this. Simply none. read more
