A Healthcare proxy for other patients is refusing to let his clients stay at the Gracewood Nursing Facility in Pinellas Park.
It started when 65-year-old resident Wilbur Moten passed away Saturday. Investigators say the man was taken to the hospital Saturday with 2nd degree burns and severe dehydration from being out in the sun too long.
Moten later suffered cardiac failure and died. With no known family members, healthcare proxy Fernando Gutierrez was in charge of making Moten’s medical decisions. But Gutierrez says he was never contacted by Gracewood staff.
Now Gutierrez says he does not trust administrators and wants all 10 of his remaining clients to move to a new location.
“I have that moral obligation and a fiduciary responsibility for these patients and I don’t feel they are safe because I was lied to,” he said.
Gutierrez says at first, the administration at Gracewood pushed back but on Thursday, he learned 5 of his residents got the greenlight to move to a new facility. Now, Gutierrez says he will focus on relocating the remaining five.
We contacted Gracewood more than once this week but our calls have gone unreturned.