Why It's Time to Transform America's Nursing Homes
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- Опубликовано: 31 июл 2024
- Nursing homes were the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, and more than 100,000 nursing home residents have lost their lives due to the virus. How do we learn from this tragedy and ensure something like this never happens again?
The American Health Care Association is proud to present "Why it's Time to Transform America's Nursing Homes," a comprehensive look at long term and post-acute care in America today, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the path forward.
It's time to prioritize and support our long term care residents and their caregivers. The coronavirus exacerbated many of the long-standing challenges in the nursing home profession. AHCA and LeadingAge are proposing substantial reforms coupled with meaningful investments through the Care For Our Seniors Act. It's time for policymakers and care providers to come together and build a brighter future for a growing elderly population.
Learn more at ahcancal.org/solutions
I don’t know where your reach extends to- but I am in tears of joy to finally see and hear these injustices brought to light. I have been waiting for this for a long time. I want to help, volunteer, advocate- anything I can do to help here. My heart aches for our elderly population who rely on the voices of their caregivers- who swore an oath to advocate, act as a liaison, and do no harm- these staff that have become too afraid, too over worked, or sadly too far gone are not able to take that step forward without the help and protection needed to avoid making the choice between saving the lives of the patients and residents they serve by sacrificing their ability to provide for their own families. It’s a bitter reality that most people can’t afford to make that decision and continue working because they have families that depend on their earnings. I am telling you whole heartedly, the people working at the bedside- the majority- battle everyday to go to work. They want to say something. I don’t think it’s properly presented anywhere- but think clearly here.. people are showing up day after day, buying their own supplies to give the best care they can. They keep showing up to work.. whether they choose to remove an aspect of responsibility by switching to the agency nursing options, they are showing up to work and they don’t have to. It’s not a secret this industry is underpaid and over worked. People aren’t coming to work for the big paydays.. they are coming because they care. No one wants to work in these environments, but the majority of these workers know that someone has to be there.. and they know how bad could easily turn worse if they stopped showing up for work. We (the majority of our country) are not seeing the total picture here. It’s easy to deflect the blame onto the people who show up for work.. but the people showing up know they don’t have to work there. These residential health facilities are a dime a dozen and anyone in this industry is fully aware they can quit today and get hired at 3 different places, all in the same day. This has to be broadcasted to eliminate the fear of speaking up. The fear of shifted and manipulated blame- because the people working bedside are stuck between this manipulating, threatening, harassing, abusive management system and the families directed to take aim at the people with the least amount of control in this racket. It’s such a sad, under reported tragedy that has somehow increasing in numbers, no longer hiding these horrors- despite the spotlight Covid placed on them. It’s mind blowing to know Covid publicized this horror and somehow it expanded faster than I have ever seen it before. I keep looking for something to make sense here- like how does something like federally funded elder abuse become public knowledge and no one is doing anything to really address this issue? How can that happen? How is the United States paying for elder abuse and neglect? You can’t say the industry is not profiting somewhere- people don’t invest millions of dollars in failing industries. It’s a lie. There aren’t investors lining up to invest free clinics anywhere in this country- people who make a successful living on investments, who escape paying taxes with write offs are not in the business of losing money. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out- but there are more long term care facilities being bought out than ever before… why? What is causing this? And coincidentally, there is a staffing crisis? This industry is hemorrhaging financially?? And yet for profit now owns more than 2/3 of this industry??
A.M.E.N
Our staff are dedicated hardworking and care for the residents they deserve better pay and credit for their work
I'm 50 years old and living in a nursing home under Hospice Care due to end stage emphasema. I broke my back and deal with chronic pain. As awful as it is to reside in here in Hialeah Florida (the Spanish section) my greatest fear is to not be recertified for hospice, which happens every 60 days or so.
My pain is well controlled and I deal with anxiety and panic attacks, also insomnia.
The majority of nurse speak some English (I'm not bilingual) but the CNAs are a different story. I share a room and, I also shared a room in a previous fascility. It's standard practice. If I thought I could move to a different home and things would improve, I would.
Unfortunately these places are all virtually the same. Their extremely short staffed. The CNAs mostly have no compassion and their response time to the call light (the means by which one alerts them that one needs assistance) is sometimes hours , in particular at change of shift.
I had a back surgery and was discharged to home from an actual hospital prior to living in a fascility such as this. Within a few days I became short of breath, was readmitted to the same hospital and diagnosed with the Flu.
After being intubated twice I recovered and since I was in the hospital on a monthly basis due to Medicaid assigning me a primary care physician who had such a case load and helped me very little , in particular with pain management, anxiety and insomnia. She refused to give me even one sleeping pill due to the epidemic of "pill seekers" (people who want to use pills for the effect and have no medicinal reason for taking them) .
She referred me, for example, to a psychologist who's earliest appointment was more than a month away.
By then I'd continued smoking and was dependent on the black market for the medications I needed so I was hospitalized for exacerbations of my emphasema on a monthly basis (on average)
I just finished begging a CNA to permit me to have a bowel movement. Then she refused to bring me water or dump my urinal so I could use it.
I've had CNAs drop food on the floor and return it to my tray more than once. Most recently a salad with a lid that came off and after putting the lid back on it she returned it to the tray and picked up what remained from the floor.
I've been accidentally given medicines that weren't mine more than once. I've gone without medicine I've needed because they allowed it to run out.
There's no compassion or bedside manner required to be a CNA, the person who is you're only way of getting in touch with your nurse . They're condescending, disrespectful and it's only when you get one that's an exception that you're reminded that you're quality of life could be better. I try not to allow it to get to me but, I spend a lot of time fighting off frustration.
I could complain and I'd still be assigned the same CNAs except now they'd have a personal vendetta against me. I'm certain these staff members are capable of being vindictive and they handle my food and water. My quality of life, my life itself is literally in their hands.
I could complain to ACHA but , I'm told you can be labeled a trouble maker by doing so.
I took care of my mother for 15 years, even when I was diagnosed with a very extreme case of emphasema (COPD) and she passed away 4 years ago, it'll be 5 in May and she never had to stay in a nursing home and rehab hospital longer than a couple of weeks. She died at 87 at home with me.
No 2 people were ever closer than she and I.
There was nothing noble about my taking care of her, no sacrifice. I wanted her to live , and I wanted her to be around. She was my best friend.
I wouldn't apply for disability until after she passed away.
That's a whole other problem in this country. It took me 9 months and, the process is clearly designed to cause the applicant to give up.
I don't know where I found the strength, as sick as I was to complete the paperwork. I took a weekend while I had pneumonia to finish it. I was denied twice before I finally got an appointment with a disability Dr (pulmonologist) that wasn't 20 miles away and, I was than approved within a few weeks.
I've been here 10 months on the 9th of this month of June 2022 and due to mistakes being made by the business office here I've yet to receive what's called a "Personal Needs Allowance" for long term care residents. $130.00 a month in the state of Florida.
I thought my days of borrowing and asking for charity were over but the food here is of a low quality of course and, the portions are small.
I'm 6' tall and now weigh 90 lbs.
I don't know why I'm writing all of this, I expect it's because I've had another day where a CNA made my life more miserable than necessary.
In these places one is either "Alert" or they aren't. I don't receive physical therapy. It's not something hospice provides. I could sign out of hospice care and receive it but , I don't receive anything that resembles proper care as it is, but with hospice care I'm better off not being able to walk and having my needs met (in theory and to the extent to which hospice can control) than without it and, qualifying for physical therapy.
If my pain isn't managed than I couldn't participate in physical therapy anyway so it's a double edged sword.
To whomever reads these comments, I'll say this.
I'm sure nothing in my life will change based on what I've written.
Even as I speak my nurse just walked in and told me that they've run out of my pain medicine. It's midnight and even though they have my medicine in the nurses cart, they first must verify that I have a prescription at the pharmacy before they can give it to me.
The pharmacy that hospice uses closed at 5 pm.
So unless something can be done I'm in for a night of suffering that could have been avoided had the daytime nurse informed me I was running out . Better still she could have called hospice and taken care of it herself.
I have to hear of it when it's down to zero and nothing can be done to resolve the situation.
Quite unfortunate and evidently tough for you. You do sound wise. Perhaps you can control your situation with your knowledge about the system lacking by addressing your concerns before closing times i.e checking on your medicine supply. Stay strong and thank you for sharing your side as it definitely sheds light on what needs to be improved.
@@kj8165 It feels like so much time has passed since I wrote that and I appreciate you're supportive response and, you're kind words. About 2 months ago my worst fear came true and I was discharged from Hospice with an "Extended Prognosis" which simply means Hospice decided, on the strength of my nurses assessment that I probably won't die within 6 months.
I had several nurses during my time with Hospice but I knew the second I met this one he'd be my downfall. A very loud and arrogant type. One of those who doesn't listen as much as wait for his turn to talk (that is if he doesn't just blatantly interrupt)
So I've spent my entire week trying to make certain I don't run out of any of my medications. In particular the narcotics as they're the most likely to run out as opposed to say breathing treatments and things that can be purchased over the counter such as Pepcid for stomach acid.
The problem with keeping track of my medicine is there's some protocol that I'm not _allowed_ to know how much of any given medicine I have and, the nurses (understaffed is an understatement) won't necessarily make time to count.
Counting is easier than meds that come from a standard Rx container because they come on a "bingo card" (a piece of cardboard with clear plastic bubbles that pills are pushed through a thin tinfoil back) and you're able to see them.
I have 1 nurse in particular who gives me an exact count and I write it down, calculate the days and use it as a reference.
I've spent the week on 2 of the 4 that I need to be refilled and I was told Tuesday they were called in to the Drs.
I followed up with the pharmacy. The pharmacy has a script they're certain is my pain medicine because it's the same dosage, correlates with the same prescribing Dr and has my name on it...but only my 1st name. All signs point to human error on the Drs part but, it must be resolved by tomorrow so I called my nurse practitioner who's going to help he claims.
He's texted the Dr and is apparently waiting for a response.
One way or another I'm praying that it'll be resolved by tomorrow afternoon, which is cutting it close but still fine.
It's 9pm and I'm out of gas after a nightmare week.
I'm certain that those unfortunates who aren't "Alert" are encountering all the same problems as I am but, can't do anything about it. God bless them because all they'd know is they were suffering but not why right?..
I'm going to do my best to get it off my mind as I can't do anything more about it tonight but tomorrow requires me to stay on top of things until they're resolved.
I'm a man of faith and believe that God hasn't taken me this far only to abandon me now. I also believe that although I've been through some almost unbearable times I've been given strength enough to get through it .
I've been hanging on by a thread and I'm sure God knows how much I can take and for how long.
I'm expecting a resolution by tomorrow and after a week of doing so much work I'll have a relatively peaceful weekend.
I've got everything I need for tonight so I'm going to "Punch out and go home" as I used to say to my mother while I was talking care of her when I'd gotten to the end of a difficult day of Drs, pharmacies, etc ..
I have to relax because I haven't done one pleasant thing today outside of this .
What is this? It's me not at work for a change so I suppose it's R and R. 🤣
I wanted to respond and thank you kj and I'm not good at "concise" once I get goin' so once again Thanks!
I did eventually get my "Personal Needs Allowance" BTW and although I'm chewing nicotine gum I miss cigarettes terribly sometimes but, it'll pass along with the dilemma I'm having with my medications .
Take care of yourself kj, don't do anything that could wind you up in a place like this someday. Moderation in vices you may have will go a long way. If someone you love needs to be cared for do everything in your power to keep em' out of places like these .
It's a nice thing you did replying. Thanks for that.✌️♥️🎸🎶🙏
@@stanphillips7277 Hey Stan, I am glad to read that you are staying strong and positive amidst the chaos, I believe your faith will help you get through almost any trouble in life as long as it is intact. I read that God only makes you go through what you are able to withstand and nothing more than that, which tells me that people like you have termendous strength. I had the honor of taking care of my father before he departed and thankfully he went from his house and was never without family which is a very very small return for what he had done for everyone. Not a day goes by I dont miss him. I wish you all the health, strength and serenity and I hope you stay positive the way you are no matter what comes your way. Btw I like the way you describe things in such detail. Your awareness and observation is impeccable.
@@kj8165 I do appreciate your kind words. Encouraging, supportive and I'm humbled by your commitments. Yes I rely heavily on my faith as I'm going through a season of uncertainty and, adaptation. I'm trying to navigate living without Hospice care and it's been difficult. It's still not quite sorted out, and I'm of that same mindset you described. God hasn't given me more than I could handle even when it's felt like it was going to crush me. Something always happens and I don't believe He's brought me this far to abandon me now.
I love how you spoke of taking care of your father at the end. In particular a very small return for what he'd done for everyone. Taking care of my mother I'd have people say it's a very noble thing to do and I'd say no, there's nothing noble about it. There was no thinking about it, she needed me (it was just she and , no remaining family for all intents and purposes) and I just did what she'd done, and would have done. If anything it was self serving. I wanted her to live! I needed her as much as she needed me.
I was her sole caregiver for 15 years and, no too people were ever closer than we were. I'm not the same person without her. I think that's as it should be. My mother was like a bright light that once it was gone made the world a terribly dark place. Time of course helps. No one could handle the sheer unconscionable pain for the rest of their days but, like with your dad she's always in my heart and I think of her constantly.
She loved JFK and Jackie Kennedy. She was from Montreal and moved to NY City in the 60s . Those were some of her fondest memories and when she passed I remember thinking about Robert Kennedy eulogizing his brother after the assassination and quoting Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The quote was -
"When he shall die take him and cut him out into stars and he shall make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun."
I found that captured my feelings perfectly considering there aren't words to describe my mother any more than you'd be able to do justice in words describing your father.
I believe we'll see them again. I also feel like I've got a guardian angel if it works that way. An overprotective one at that 🤣
I'm writing this at 9:30 ish and I'll stay up almost all night. This is the time when my roommate is asleep (handpicked by the social worker after having a couple of nightmare roommates) and it's quiet. I awakened to a woman who wheeled herself into my room and was doing her best to break my guitar or unplug my oxygen and after calling the front desk someone came for her and it's been action packed up until 30 minutes ago.
Thanks again for such a kind reply. I'll keep you in my prayers if that's okay with you kj. I believe God has equipped us for anything we might face in this life , strength we don't know we have until we need it.
May God bless you and you're small family and friends and keep you all safe and well, and at peace ✌️♥️🎸🎶🙏
@@stanphillips7277 Hi Stan, thank you for your warm wishes and prayers ❤ it was rather refreshing to see that we share a lot in common like the bond between you and your mother matches with me and my father however, compared to your 15 years of care I could only care for a couple before he left and I strongly believe it was because his dignity was hurt as he became more dependant for care, this is in our culture especially our ancestors, we pray for a peaceful death without dependency and I wish for the same. You are absolutely right about how words are not enough to describe our parents and what they have done for us but I believe we were blessed with that connection and we both know the feeling of loss. I love that you play an instrument and we share that too I play a few myself! I started with piano and guitar ( self taught ) up until I decided to take proper lessons after my dad passed away ( story behind it ) as therapy and it helps! Im honored that you have shared your experiences with me and I would love to continue this exchange! Kindly share your email, I would like to be in touch if thats ok =) perhaps we can become pen pals? ✍ Wish you all the health and peace.
Happy healthy well paid staff would make a huge difference. Aids are under paid most do not have health insurance. Aids are the ones that spend the most time with residents and do all the back breaking work for pay that is below the poverty level. If you can earn 18.50 an hour working at a 7-Eleven why would you want $12 an hour cleaning up poop and pee and vomit ? That is why staff are leaving.
If you take care of you employees, Your employees will take care of the patients.
I disagree that they are the only ones doing the back breaking work...as an RN I did team work with my technicians. And many times when doing my med pass or during the time I was doing documentation (ridiculous amount of documentation is done each shift), I did all team work to include toileting, showering, transferring, assisting with getting patients up in the mornings, and feeding...we were expected to stop in the middle of our med. pass to stop and feed 2 - 3 patients, yet still get it all done within 2 hours. I was around when there were more staff, and if we worked short handed, it was hard. But then it to to where that was the norm. I can't imagine how hard it was during Covid. I'm so glad to be retired. I will take my life rather than end up in a nursing home. I am not being dramatic, but honest. I did my time already.
Sorry to say if the government paid more the money would never make it to the working staff. The ceos are paid well as are the mgrs. look at how many nursing homes are being sold or filing bankruptcy. As far as rehab short term patients get 20-40 mins of therapy per disaplain because Medicare cut the budget our seniors deserve better
We dont even acknowledge elderly abuse month anymore. But yes, we need reform. Ty for trying.
We need to have wards o some floors. People that have been on welfare as a way of life, should not be blessed with rooms that hard working people have to give up everything they have to have the same services.😊
Worst than prison
Maybe they should not have fired employees for no jab.
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