The nursing home regulatory system sets unrealistically high standards of care because “there has been no analysis of the resources - and particularly the labor resources - necessary to achieve these standards,” said John Schnelle (pictured) of Vanderbilt University at a July 11 Capitol Hill briefing on long-term care reform. “Some studies suggest that twice the number of aides as are currently present in most homes would be needed to meet current standards of care.”
The briefing, which was co-hosted by The New School and the Brookings Institution, focused on ways of improving care quality and addressing the challenges of financing long-term care. More than a dozen panelists - including senators, other policy experts, academics, advocates and providers - discussed policy and political options.
Schnelle called for either setting more realistic care standards or increasing the amount of money we pay for long-term care. “I would prefer the latter,” he said, adding that either would be an improvement.
Elise Nakhnikian, Senior Online Editor
enakhnikian@phinational.org
Its unreal that here in the state of Virginia we have no Aid to resident Ratio. There is no law that mandates it. In one place I worked they really took advantage of that too. There was 188 residents, and 4 CNA’s. It really was sad. Those people were not getting the care that they needed. The place I work, is a bit better about it however.
But if they have call outs they don’t really do anything to take care of it. On a good night we have 5 aids, for 80 residents, Some nights, we only have 4, but if we have call outs, its only 3 aids, 1 for each hall, which is a bit harder, but the nurses get out on the floor and help out some. I would however, like to see that change. I really do wish that The federal government would step in, and make it so that every state is the same when it comes to this. I truly believe that no Nurse Aid should have more than 8 residents to care for, b/c not only will you have less, bed sores, cleaner residents, probably less falls, but you will have a smaller turn over in staff, the residents and their families would be happier, and less injuries all around.