Minnesota Assisted Living Facility Found Neglectful After Resident Given Multiple Alcohol Shots

State investigators from the Minnesota Department of Health concluded that Covered Bridge Assisted Living in Holdingford, Minnesota, neglected resident Don Brambrink by providing him with a large amount of alcohol before a scheduled doctor's appointment. Staff gave Brambrink between 12 and 18 shots of hard liquor and a beer within a 24‑hour period, with documented doses from the evening before through the morning of the appointment. The resident’s blood alcohol level was measured at 0.23%, nearly three times the legal limit, prompting emergency‑room transport at the physician’s request. RN Holly Rudh, director of nursing at the facility, described Brambrink as “dead to the world” when she found him on the floor. Facility owner Trista Barstow said the home serves people with severe addictions and monitors alcohol consumption rather than restricting it, arguing the approach helps residents reduce substance use. Brambrink, who has a history of homelessness and meth addiction, disputed the neglect finding, claiming the facility has helped him stay sober. Covered Bridge Assisted Living plans to appeal the state’s neglect determination.