When hospital staff explicitly tell you not to send your loved one back to a facility, take it seriously. My mother entered PresCare Groundwater Lodge in mid-May, still mobile with the aid of a wheelie walker. Less than two months later, she had deteriorated so dramatically under their care that staff suggested palliative care. We chose instead to transfer her to Maryborough Hospital—thankfully. She was admitted in a critical state: severely dehydrated, malnourished, dangerously low potassium levels, and showing early signs of kidney failure. Bloodwork also raised concerns of a significant cardiac event or stroke. The most disturbing part? We were only told the day before her hospitalisation that she hadn’t been eating properly for days. This was a complete breakdown in communication and duty of care. Requests for further investigation into her worsening condition were apparently ignored. Basic care standards were not met. Preventable neglect led to a life-threatening medical crisis. In our experience, PresCare Groundwater Lodge failed at the most fundamental level—to keep its residents safe and cared for. The wellbeing of vulnerable residents did not appear to be a priority. Serious health issues were left unaddressed, and our concerns were dismissed until it was nearly too late. If you're considering this facility for a loved one, be vigilant. Demand accountability. Better yet—look elsewhere. We can only hope PresCare Groundwater Lodge reflects deeply on this failure and makes the systemic changes necessary to prevent another family from enduring what we did.
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