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!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
New Congress Reverses Gains for Seniors
The 112th Congress convened this January. Already the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging has sent up distress flares.
Last December's Congress recessed with a parting shot at seniors by passing a resolution to keep federal spending frozen at 2010 levels until March. March 4 is when Republican leadership intends to roll back government spending to 2008 levels, like Social Security Benefits!
Elderly housing legislation was enacted last year that updates HUD's grant program, Section 202, making it more streamlined and with fewer hurdles to develop and preserve senior housing. A new category of housing options has been created by providing grants for health and other supportive services ("service-enriched housing") that developers would include for residents.
In addition to assisted living, nursing homes and affordable housing, now HUD will have a new category of "service-enriched housing". The flip side of this coin is the privilege of staying in your own home which is more challenging for legislators to consider.
The Affordable Care Act presently supplies many provisions that help older adults with chronic conditions and their caregivers. The present Congress has indicated that they want to repeal it.
We should take note of the implications of what Washington can do to our circumstances. There seems to be a trend funneling the elderly from their own homes into group living situations. Whether with "service-enriched housing" or not, there is no substitute for the comfort of familiar surroundings.
Funding that helps keep seniors at home is essential, so they can live with dignity and independence. Senior incomes have been frozen at 2008 levels in spite of escalating costs for food, housing, prescriptions and medical care, and while a HUD clearinghouse of affordable facilities may make it easier to locate available alternatives, being uprooted is often the last blow to a fragile, aging adult.
One of my neighbors lived next to her church for over fifty years. When her house was turned over to the parish, and she had to move to an apartment, she was crushed. She made weekly trips past her former home but never connected to her new accommodations in senior housing.
She passed away recently and I wonder if her past three years, transplanted into a tiny apartment, might have been more comfortable for her if she had been able to stay home with a companion in familiar surroundings. The expense of a live in aide is prohibitive, but the Affordable Care Act was a step in the right direction to keep someone in their own home.
Seniors rock.
Last December's Congress recessed with a parting shot at seniors by passing a resolution to keep federal spending frozen at 2010 levels until March. March 4 is when Republican leadership intends to roll back government spending to 2008 levels, like Social Security Benefits!
Elderly housing legislation was enacted last year that updates HUD's grant program, Section 202, making it more streamlined and with fewer hurdles to develop and preserve senior housing. A new category of housing options has been created by providing grants for health and other supportive services ("service-enriched housing") that developers would include for residents.
In addition to assisted living, nursing homes and affordable housing, now HUD will have a new category of "service-enriched housing". The flip side of this coin is the privilege of staying in your own home which is more challenging for legislators to consider.
The Affordable Care Act presently supplies many provisions that help older adults with chronic conditions and their caregivers. The present Congress has indicated that they want to repeal it.
We should take note of the implications of what Washington can do to our circumstances. There seems to be a trend funneling the elderly from their own homes into group living situations. Whether with "service-enriched housing" or not, there is no substitute for the comfort of familiar surroundings.
Funding that helps keep seniors at home is essential, so they can live with dignity and independence. Senior incomes have been frozen at 2008 levels in spite of escalating costs for food, housing, prescriptions and medical care, and while a HUD clearinghouse of affordable facilities may make it easier to locate available alternatives, being uprooted is often the last blow to a fragile, aging adult.
One of my neighbors lived next to her church for over fifty years. When her house was turned over to the parish, and she had to move to an apartment, she was crushed. She made weekly trips past her former home but never connected to her new accommodations in senior housing.
She passed away recently and I wonder if her past three years, transplanted into a tiny apartment, might have been more comfortable for her if she had been able to stay home with a companion in familiar surroundings. The expense of a live in aide is prohibitive, but the Affordable Care Act was a step in the right direction to keep someone in their own home.
Seniors rock.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Trenton Could Use A Superhero
Hey Phoenix Jones. What does Washington have that we don't? Come on down and we will keep you busy for sure...
Comic book hero brought to life is something Mayor Mack hasn't tried yet. Betcha. We have a neat collector's bookstore where he could change into his costume...bullet proof vest, taser baton, super hero black and gold rubber wet suit...ready for anything our town requires.
We have the small town shopkeeper who needs lots of help so he isn't taken advantage of. Ahem. We have lots of single ladies waiting to be rescued from abusive bullies on street corners.
We have two newspapers that could be really good cover for a mild mannered reporter type. (L.A. Parker would do a great job covering this if it turns out he doesn't fit in the suit)
The Mayor might even find a super hero squad saves money. Outfitting and promoting (Strike Fear Into The Hearts Of Evil Doers) would be cheaper in the long run than keeping the same number of pension attached beat cops on the street.
Think of it.
West Ward gets bronze and gold, North Ward gets red and green, South Ward is costumed as blue and silver and the East Ward is blazing with yellow and scarlet. Each ward can pick its hero name and, if the Mayor likes the idea, how 'bout a trusty companion. Two can romp as cheaply as one, so how about hiring a little hero to tag along with the big one? Just a thought.
Seattle Washington has a number of "super hero" types that are seriously on the street to fight crime. This might be considered vigilante justice but, if a city is laying off cops, what is a civilian to do?
I wonder how you can tell if a guy in a mask is there to pick up your groceries or is going to bop you over the head.
Talk to me.
Are we in such bad shape that a comic book type looks better than the Mayor?
Trenton rocks.
Comic book hero brought to life is something Mayor Mack hasn't tried yet. Betcha. We have a neat collector's bookstore where he could change into his costume...bullet proof vest, taser baton, super hero black and gold rubber wet suit...ready for anything our town requires.
We have the small town shopkeeper who needs lots of help so he isn't taken advantage of. Ahem. We have lots of single ladies waiting to be rescued from abusive bullies on street corners.
We have two newspapers that could be really good cover for a mild mannered reporter type. (L.A. Parker would do a great job covering this if it turns out he doesn't fit in the suit)
The Mayor might even find a super hero squad saves money. Outfitting and promoting (Strike Fear Into The Hearts Of Evil Doers) would be cheaper in the long run than keeping the same number of pension attached beat cops on the street.
Think of it.
West Ward gets bronze and gold, North Ward gets red and green, South Ward is costumed as blue and silver and the East Ward is blazing with yellow and scarlet. Each ward can pick its hero name and, if the Mayor likes the idea, how 'bout a trusty companion. Two can romp as cheaply as one, so how about hiring a little hero to tag along with the big one? Just a thought.
Seattle Washington has a number of "super hero" types that are seriously on the street to fight crime. This might be considered vigilante justice but, if a city is laying off cops, what is a civilian to do?
I wonder how you can tell if a guy in a mask is there to pick up your groceries or is going to bop you over the head.
Talk to me.
Are we in such bad shape that a comic book type looks better than the Mayor?
Trenton rocks.
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