Re: Nursing Home for PWP/24hrCG

["Carole K. Menser" <ted@xxxxxxxxxx>]

FYI --

Training is a huge issue when it comes to CNAs.  In California, CNAs are now
required to pass state exams in order to be registered with the State and
must complete CECs every year.  If there is suspicion of abuse in a licensed
care facility, the local Ombudsman's office is the place to file a
complaint.  Unfortunately, that doesn't stop instances of abuse and neglect.
But it can trigger an investigation.

I am currently working in a HUD funded program that puts Service
Coordinators in apartments (independent living) that are HUD subsidized.
The idea is to assist seniors and mobility-impaired persons to obtain
services, if available, that will help them stay in their own apartments and
live independently for as long as possible.  HUD calls this "aging in
place."  I am also available to them to monitor the delivery and quality of
those services.  As a mandated reporter, I regularly report to Adult
Protective Services any suspected incidents of abuse by in-home care
providers and any service provider.  The Ombudsman is the agency that takes
complaints about abuse in licensed care facilities.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHHS) is the State of California program that
allows income qualified seniors and dependent adults to hire an in-home care
provider paid for by testate.  An assessment by a county Adult Services
social worker determines the number of hours the individual can receive. The
individual client, not the State, is the employer of record.  The worker is
paid minimum wage and, at this time, the program is unregulated as to
background checks, required references, etc.,  for IHSS workers.  That, of
course, can leave the door open to abuse.

Carole Menser, M.A.

----- Original Message -----
From: <Rweeks@xxxxxxx>
To: <PARKINSN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 6:28 AM
Subject: Re: Nursing Home for PWP/24hrCG


> Kim,
> Perhaps you should focus some energy on regulations for nursing homes....
>
> 1.  how many patients must a CNA care for?
>      how many patients must an RN care for?
>
>      Evaluate the rational/practical matters of your concerns.  When you
"go
> looking" for a CNA.......is he/she eating lunch, writing an email to a
> friend/smoking a cigarette in the parking lot or taking a toilet break?
Or
> is he/she trying to calm a new patient who has dementia and has no idea
> who/where she is.  Or is the CNA holding the hand of a patient who is
minutes
> from death and all alone?  Or is the CNA cleaning vomit from the person in
> the next room?  Or is she helping another patient to sip a few more drinks
of
> water today?  Or is the CNA doing the paperwork required by the
> city/county/state/federal programs?
>
> 2.  Since you cannot be there with your mother (because of distance/job I
> believe) do you volunteer your spare time at a nursing home in your
> area....reading to a patient, delivering cookies at snack time, helping
take
> patients to the mall on "shopping day"?    In hopes that someone with a
few
> hours to spare is doing the same for your mother?  (what goes around comes
> around theory).
>
> 3.  If you were caring for your mother in your own home 24/7....would you
> ever be in the shower/toilet when she called you?  Would you ever be
making a
> phone call to her doctor, pharmacy, etc when she needed you?   Would you
ever
> be in the middle of preparing dinner when she "rang the bell"?
>
> I read about families who complain about waiting 20 minutes for someone to
> come/answer...........and I think how many times my children had on a
> wet/dirty diaper for 20 minutes because I was hugging his brother, reading
to
> his sister, fixing lunch for all four, grappling for  another 30 seconds
> sleep at 2 am.....and I thought that I was a good mother (the kids are no
> longer teens and those who now have children of their own think I was ok.)
> How many times my children had a diaper rash (I was a mom before
> disposables!!) and how many times they woke up with a snaughty nose
crusted
> on their face or upper lip.....and I thought I loved them and did the best
> that I could do.
>
> Write to your congressperson......your state legislators......talk to the
> nursing home staff and find out what they need and when they need
it.....and
> who to write to, call, pester and offer constructive criticism.
>
> Ask how many persons on their staff come in to work and as "who can I
abuse
> today?"   "what patient/family can I make miserable?".    Most people
don't
> show up for work with that attitude.
>
> 4.  At your monthly family meeting/phone conference (ask to be included by
> conference call link if you cannot appear in person...offer to pay for the
> call)...ask about the monthly care plan.....how many times is Physical
> Therapy schedule....what is the anticipated progress...  Is he/she seeing
a
> PT or a PTA (asst)
> .......What activities are scheduled?  Will she participate?  .......Are
> dental, vision (eye care) needs being addressed/met.    Etc.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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