<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Since my Summary #1 of my question about the Disability Act and nursing home dilemma I’ve received more info from the list members that I thought others may want to see. 

My thanks to you all! I no longer feel so alone. 

One recommendation was to contact the Alabama Dietetic Assoc. They are an association of RDs— registered dietitians. It is possible one in my area may help me. They are also a satellite of the national association for RDs. I placed a phone call, had to leave a message.

The link which I posted to the Gluten Free Dietician’s advice about nursing home menus is very good, but it is more a statement of perfect conditions. In my world, and in many of the people who have contacted me, this is not how it goes at all. The nursing homes are not going to respond as written in this article.
http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/dietcom-blog-gluten-free-meals-for-the-elderly/ <http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/dietcom-blog-gluten-free-meals-for-the-elderly/>

I post below pieces of pertinent emails I’ve received, and have shortened of necessity:

>>Ours was a situation if the facikity falling underneath "assisted living" memory care. This is different from a nursing home. We are making many if my mother's meals and keeping them in the freezer at the facility. They are not equipped to accommodate, and even if they tried they don't have a gf kitchen, so they at least understand the issues that come with that. These types of facilities don't necessarily have a dietician on staff. So, we made arrangements to supply as much replacement as we can and conceded that we do understand that with dementia that there is a chance our
Mother will get ahold of someone else's cookie (for example) because if the nature of the disease. <<

>>Here in Connecticut the Masonic Facilities offer gluten free options. You do not have to be a Mason to get in<<

>>My father is in a continuing care facility in South Dakota.  They
charge him a $100 supplement per month to provide gluten-free food.
He has GF bread and cereals plus I would guess frequent TV dinner type
of meals when they are serving meals other than basic meat and
potatoes.  It seems to be working well.  He misses having desserts
other than ice cream and fruit so gifts from the family are often GF
sweets.<<

>>As far as I recall any institution that receives federal or some type of government funding must comply with the Disability act and again as far as I recall that includes Celiac disease but I’m sure you can verify this and check if that institution is government funded<<


Curtiss Ann Matlock website/blog <http://www.curtissannmatlock.com/>

Love in a Small Town <http://www.amazon.com/Love-Small-Town-Valentine-Book-ebook/dp/B00XJUHG50/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1431704762&sr=1-3&keywords=Love+in+a+small+town>
Mary in Color <http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Color-Curtiss-Ann-Matlock-ebook/dp/B00BMT7NBC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1431704819&sr=1-1&keywords=Mary+in+Color>






> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: CA Matlock <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: [CELIAC] Summary: ? Disability Act
> Date: May 19, 2015 at 10:55:18 AM CDT
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Reply-To: CA Matlock <[log in to unmask]>
> 
> <<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
> 
> My question was: >> Are food allergies and celiac and diabetes covered under the Disabilities Act? Or is it just physical disabilities? Any info would be appreciated. A nursing home just declined to take on my mother because of her special diet. I was appreciative to them for being honest. They do not feel they can accommodate her. Boy, we’re in a pickle. What are people going to do as the celiac population ages?
> 
> Let me add for clarification that my mother is now 88, mostly blind, frail and with mild dementia. She does still walk with a walker. I was prepared to work with the facility, had offered to bring all my mother’s bread products, that was not a problem, and my mother really doesn’t eat a lot, either. Just plain things. I really thought the facility seemed willing and we could make it work, when suddenly I was told the ‘team’ had decided they could not accommodate my mother. I do not intend to pursue anything with the facility, but I need to know what I can do. I have contacted a number of facilities in my area, and NONE even know what celiac is. How can this be?
> 
> I got some info from the list, but a whole lot more people asking me to post the summary, as they have concerns, too.
> 
> Plain English overview of the disabilities act:
> http://www.ada.gov/q&a_lesley_university.htm <http://www.ada.gov/q&a_lesley_university.htm>
> 
> A web site for Merrill Gardens, a senior living company with a number of facilities throughout the country, supposedly they will provide gluten-free menu. They do not operate a nursing home. They do seem cutting edge with accommodations:  http://www.merrillgardens.com/ <http://www.merrillgardens.com/>.  
> 
> My understanding is it is covered under ADA, and they are required to make 'reasonable accommodation'. My research on that is over 10yrs old from when i was diagnosed and needed an out from getting my travel per diem deducted from conference meals i couldn't eat. A doctor's note was all i needed, which i had put into my personnel travel record at work. No problems after that. 
> 
> The Gluten Free Dietician has a good article:
> http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/dietcom-blog-gluten-free-meals-for-the-elderly/ <http://www.glutenfreedietitian.com/dietcom-blog-gluten-free-meals-for-the-elderly/>
> Yes, the nursing home must provide the meals, if ordered by the doctor. But the nursing home doesn’t have to take you on apparently.
> 
> My next visit will be with the doctor. My mother is one of those who fell through the cracks some fourteen years ago, when I was diagnosed, and thus the answer came to her for her problem. She got from several doctors: “Just don’t eat it,” which I believe was a common occurrence. I myself got that from a GI doctor and eventually got gene testing with an immunologist. 
> 
> I believe there is also a state ombudsman for nursing homes. 
> 
> After I navigate this new territory, I’ll post my findings. As one person quipped: We may just have to open our homes to each other. If I had money and connections, I have two very good caregivers and could open the first allergy-friendly facility.
> 
> Thank you all,
> CurtissAnn
> Mobile, Alabama
> 
> 
> Curtiss Ann Matlock website/blog <http://www.curtissannmatlock.com/>
> 
> Love in a Small Town <http://www.amazon.com/Love-Small-Town-Valentine-Book-ebook/dp/B00XJUHG50/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1431704762&sr=1-3&keywords=Love+in+a+small+town>
> Mary in Color <http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Color-Curtiss-Ann-Matlock-ebook/dp/B00BMT7NBC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1431704819&sr=1-1&keywords=Mary+in+Color>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Visit the Celiac Web Page at Http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html
> Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC


* All posts for product information must include the applicable country *
Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC