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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