Tea Party Tackles Troubled Nursing Home

I have been following and writing about nursing home situations for over seven years as my family has made its way through the health care system. My mother's roots were in the northwestern part of New Jersey and my frequent home town visits have maintained a connection that hurts sometimes...not just for what might have been, but for today's sad shortcomings.

When my mom needed a nursing home, we were not able to locate suitable assisted living facilities in Warren County so we brought her to Mercer County because, at that time, it was highly certified.

Warren County's facility, Warren Haven, tucked into Mansfield Township, is presently operated by freeholders much like Mercer County's Hamilton Geriatric Center used to be. In 2008 there was an effort to privatize Warren Haven and testimony sounded a lot like what people were saying here in Mercer County.

Freeholders were accused of lack of interest, lack of oversight, and even one lawsuit by a family whose resident had died as a result of alleged lack of care. Privatization was not chosen and the matter was eventually decided in favor of keeping freeholders involved.

Fast forward to 2011. Now one of those family spokespersons, Elaine Reichart of Warren County, has come forward with Tea Party members and asked for oversight. Her previous position had been to support the freeholders but now she challenges Warren Haven finances.

If you take politics out of it, circumstances and care can change enough in three years that you might change your opinion . So I think that, Tea Party designation aside because the freeholders in Warren are also Republican, Ms. Reichart has a point because the Warren Haven rating has sunk to only two stars. That is not as bad as the Hamilton Geriatric Center was when it was sold last fall, but still unacceptable.

According to the Express-Times today, the Tea Party "study" has involved "coffee purchases and temporary manpower". I would not be surprised if this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Based on my experience I suggest that they look into employees who have not worked any place else because they might now profit from retraining inservice sessions. I recommend challenging any contracts with companies for food service, laundry operations, turnover of rehabilitation and social service providers, office procedures and billing practices, Medicare and Medicaid accountablility....so on and so forth.

One more thing from my own experience: I wish Ms. Reichart good luck in getting her freeholders and administrators to be forthcoming in such details that can really make a difference.

Seniors rock!