Anatomy of Isolation: The Foundation

In Union County, two clocks were running. In twenty-three days (June 17 → July 10, 2024), a routine "issue with IBL" entry, a drafted motion, and a video-only prognosis culminated in a call where DHS/APD licensing was cited to "lock door to keep Patty out." Separately, the lockout itself lasted forty-six days of no visits after July 3, with physical turn-away documented July 12. The same day as the call, a hospice note recorded: "Patty is not aware Russell is on hospice again." This chapter documents the sequence of events that led to that lockout.

The promise had been clear. On April 3, 2024, a court-approved family agreement guaranteed Patricia Bingaman would "continue to visit Protected Person in the same manner that she has historically visited him." Russell Bingaman, 76, suffering from Alzheimer's disease, had been in Nadine's Nest adult foster home since February 2022. His wife of 58 years had visited him nearly daily.

Records show what followed that April promise: a series of actions resulting in Patricia's exclusion through documentation, medical decisions, and ultimately, physical lockout.

Editor's note: We distinguish between the 23-day run-up (June 17 → July 10) and the forty-six-day lockout of actual no-visit access following July 3.

Russell Bingaman entered Nadine's Nest on February 21, 2022, and was enrolled in hospice by February 16, 2022 (before his admission to the facility).

Medicare hospice eligibility for dementia requires specific criteria: a FAST score of 7a or higher (speech limited to five words or less), dependence for 5/6 or 6/6 Activities of Daily Living, and a physician's certification of six months or less to live. The certification triggered enhanced Medicare payments and permitted aggressive pharmaceutical interventions typically reserved for end-of-life care.

Yet Russell's actual condition contradicted this terminal diagnosis. On February 21, 2022, his first day at Nadine's Nest, facility records note: "MR B WAS TRYING TO ESCAPE." Staff quickly walked outside with him; he returned angry. The discussion turned immediately to Haloperidol "if needed to help patient with agitation for the night."

A week later, on February 28, Russell told staff: "GET ME OUT OF HERE."

By March 7, 2022, RN Alice Shaw documented, based on caregiver Alicia's report: "HE HAS DAYS THAT HE STILL TRIES TO 'GO HOME.' HE CAN BE RE-DIRECTED MOST DAYS."

In March 2022, facility owner Tempie Bartell instructed staff not to allow family visits yet because Russell was "still adjusting" and they were "unsure how he would deal with seeing family." This despite Russell repeatedly asking to go home and attempting to leave.

By April 2022, a Heart and Home hospice counselor documented that facility staff were "open to a plan allowing Patty to visit 'as often as she wants'" on days with two staff working. Yet by December 2022, during a mediated meeting, Tempie Bartell expressed concern that Russell had been "more agitated and restless in the last few weeks since Patty has been able to visit freely."

When Patricia's visits finally resumed, the documentation began. But not accurately.

A comprehensive forensic review of facility logs from March through July 2024 examined 36 documented spouse visits. The finding: 94.4% recorded no issues. Typical entries read:

"Great mood after wife's visit" "Enjoyed time with spouse" "Calm and content following Patricia's visit"

By August 14, 2023, Bartell drafted and formalized her restrictions request. The Individually-Based Limitation (IBL) document claimed:

Patricia's visits should be restricted to twice weekly, 30 minutes or less She must be accompanied by one of her children or chosen representative Her visits caused Russell to be "disturbed, exhibit negative behaviors, become reclusive, confused, angry" She required "increased sedative medication" after visits Patricia posed "a health and safety risk to other residents" by touching and feeding them The children signed the document. Patricia was not consulted.

Notably, this IBL was created just months after Russell had been discharged from hospice in March 2023 for "STAGNATION OF DECLINES, PATIENT NO LONGER MEETS CRITERIA FOR HOSPICE." He was too healthy for hospice but supposedly too fragile for his wife's visits.

Patricia initially complied with the restriction for nearly two weeks. Then someone at DHS told her the truth—the IBL was not valid. When Patricia went to visit Russell after learning this, on October 31, 2023 (Halloween), the police were called to escort her from the property at Tempie Bartell's request.

The La Grande Police officer told Patricia: "...but at the time the owner Tempie doesn't want you here..."

Russell was acutely aware of the situation. When Patricia explained the police were there to escort her out, Russell responded:

"Just stay here for a minute" - pleading with her not to leave "I don't think these cops would do that" - expressing disbelief at the situation "He's got La Grande on his" - noting it was La Grande police Earlier, when Patricia arrived after two weeks of being banned, Russell had said: "I said I should have walked out of the son of a bitch..."

Patricia told the officers she'd been married to Russell for 57 years, together since she was 14 and he was 15. The officer responded: "Well, you did it anyway. That's bravery. Takes an old farm woman to be brave."

DHS investigated. Investigation ID 00294325 reached a definitive conclusion: the IBL was "not valid and had to be removed." The investigation determined "no restrictions on visitation will be initiated." The allegation of involuntary seclusion was marked "Not Substantiated."

In December 2023, while the invalid IBL issue remained unresolved, Russell's two sons—Shawn and Austin Bingaman—were appointed as co-guardians. Patricia initially objected but withdrew her challenge after negotiating protections.

The resulting March 15, 2024, family agreement seemed to resolve the conflict. Paragraph 2.1(b) explicitly guaranteed: "Patricia will continue to visit Protected Person in the same manner that she has historically visited him."

That agreement would last 94 days.