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Son fears the worst for mother, `lying paralyzed in bed` at Milwaukee care facility amid COVID-19
Son fears the worst for mother, `lying paralyzed in bed` at Milwaukee care facility amid COVID-19
MILWAUKEE -- FOX6 News on Wednesday, April 8 spoke with a man concerned about his mother, a resident of a long-term care facility in Milwaukee, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Candace Weber's son said he wants two things -- information about his mother, a resident of BRIA of Trinity Village near 76th Street and Dean Road, and to know that she's protected from COVID-19.
"Okay, she's surviving," said Mark Weber as he spoke with his mother via video call Wednesday. "There she is in her mask."
Weber said he fears the worst for his 69-year-old mother.
"I just, I needed to see her, so I stood outside her window and videotaped it, just so I have something, in case," he said.
Candace Weber
He wondered Wednesday whether she was even receiving care to protect her from the virus.
"She is lying paralyzed in a bed, and this facility has not taken standard precautions, basic human decency, and just basic common sense to protect her," said Mark Weber.
Weber said he received a voicemail Sunday, April 5 informing him that: "We have received confirmation a resident has been diagnosed with COVID-19. We encourage you to call the facility for updates on the status of your loved one."
Mark Weber
He said it took 16 hours for him to get a call back, and said officials at the facility refused to switch his mother's room or test her when they had reason to believe her roommate had the virus.
"They are in a skeleton crew," said Weber. "My mom sat in incontinence for four hours today because they're understaffed and scared to come into the room. This should not be happening."
As of Wednesday, Candace Weber had begun showing symptoms herself.
"I am trying to advocate for her," said Weber. "It's falling on deaf ears there."
Daniel Weiss, CEO of BRIA Health Services, said this in a statement to FOX6:
Candace and Mark Weber
Weber said they still would not test his mother, and without that, she won't be moving.
"I just want to help her," said Weber. "That's all I want to do."
Weber said officials at the facility called once about one case of COVID-19, but he fears there are more, and wants consistent updates. He said without knowing what's happening inside, he can't help his mother make decisions that are best for her.