Comments on: Casey Bill to Promote Small House Nursing Homes

By: PK

PK — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:04:16 +0000

I am a dislocated worker from a Nursing Home that closed. A trend that concerns me is the transition from NH to Assisted Living. Workers are not trained to take on the calibur of care put upon them. I agree that large NH Homes are not the answer to caring for our elders, but a balance and consideration of level of cares, availability of safe homes to place this population. Considerations of what populations constitutes a NH (mentally ill, mentally handicapped, rehab, frail elderly, active elderly, very obese, and so on) is an issue that must be addressed. Smaller, homier, but well staffed facilities can work well, but also with funding so low to the homes many are struggling. And the pay for workers is usually not a living wage. As a country, looking at ways to attract and keep qualified workers will be the base of success for any plan.

By: Tammie Henderson

Tammie Henderson — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:36:23 +0000

I am the administrator of a small facility located in Missouri and we have been comtemplating new construction. It is nice to see someone in Congress realize the need and understand the importance of this issue. We would jump at the chance of a low interest loan(as we have put our new building on hold due to financing) We don’t want a handout just the opportunity to provide a much need change in taking care of our elders. We have begun some culture changes but are limited due to the age of our building(35 plus years) Everyone should write their Representatives and Senators and let them know how important this is.

By: dan west

dan west — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:21:13 +0000

excellent idea. Facilities could admit like residents to maintain consistancy.
As now, some buildings have heavy care, some have behavioral residents, some have only walkie talkie residents. A reduction in the size of a building is good. A reduction in the number of residents to care for is good. There is a breaking point. Below 60 residents is easier to care for, a dozen or so to care for would make it more personable and individualized. This is a very good idea. A semi-private room in a 120 plus bed facility is not private, home like and not personal..army barracks compared to a hotel room.
This model should be what we (USA) want and require in the future for long term care settings.
Large instutions are a way to increase profit for providing care to the elderly. This sould be our future for long term care settings. Thanks.

By: Janis

Janis — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:48:01 +0000

In answer to Brandi. I think we forget that every human being regardless of their loss has a right to dignity, identity, person-hood and choice, no matter how limited. Perhaps your small house would look a bit different then the community where the residents are high functioning; however, it still can be done.

By: Brandi

Brandi — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:47:10 +0000

it sounds great, really it does, but I work in a facility that has 3 different sides to it. One is a rehab side where they are only there temporarily, one side is a lock down facility where the residents are a danger to themselves. And the other side, is the side where they cannot walk or talk, or anything like that. I want to know how will this program help them???