Assisted Living Facility Faces Scrutiny After Resident's Binge Before Appointment

WHO:

NY Post - Don Brambrink, a resident of Covered Bridge Assisted Living, is identified as having mental health issues.

Fox News - Trista Barstow is the owner of Covered Bridge Assisted Living.

WHAT:

NY Post - Covered Bridge Assisted Living was found responsible for neglect after Don Brambrink missed a doctor's visit.

Fox News - Don Brambrink consumed 18 shots of liquor in the 24 hours leading up to his scheduled doctor's appointment.

Fox News - Brambrink's blood alcohol level was reported at 0.23%, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08%.

WHERE:

NY Post - The incident occurred at Covered Bridge Assisted Living in Holdingford, Minnesota.

Fox News - The report was filed by the Minnesota Department of Health.

WHEN:

Fox News - The alcohol consumption included specific times: 2 shots at 6:54 p.m., 2 shots at 8 p.m., 2 shots at 9:20 p.m., 2 shots at 3:55 a.m., a beer at 5 a.m., 2 shots at 5:55 a.m., 2 shots at 8:15 a.m., 2 shots at 9:15 a.m., 2 shots at 10:55 a.m., and 2 shots at 12:30 p.m. on the day of the appointment.

WHY:

Fox News - The facility had an "alcohol plan" for Brambrink, which allowed him to consume alcohol to "drown out the voices" he heard.

HOW:

Fox News - The registered nurse reported that Brambrink was "dead to the world" after drinking while fishing.

Fox News - When contacted by Brambrink's primary care physician, the RN found him on the floor and reported that he "didn't feel right," leading to his transport to the emergency room.

(UPDATED August 1, 2026 23:12 UTC)

A resident of Covered Bridge Assisted Living in Holdingford, Minnesota, named Don Brambrink, has been identified as having mental health issues and was found responsible for neglect after missing a doctor's visit. In the 24 hours leading up to his appointment, Brambrink consumed 18 shots of liquor, resulting in a blood alcohol level of 0.23%, nearly three times the legal limit. The Minnesota Department of Health reported that Brambrink was discovered on the floor by a registered nurse after drinking while fishing, prompting his transport to the emergency room.