Bill, the nusing homes and assisted living facilities around here pay $100.00 for an hour. My private jobs (where the donatios come from) pay $250.00 minimum, so my contribution to the legislation effort is much stronger by doing it my way. Plus, there seems to be plenty of folks who either "volunteer" or play for little or nothing. I've heard a lot and most are awful.

Besides, I'm well known in all area homes. They know why I'm there. They get really uncomfortable at bad ones when I show up. I've had several shut down for out-and-out abuse. And, things often improve when I point out omissions. Recently, for instance, I wrote the administration of a VA (actually, a for profit place contracted to the State of Kentucky who contracts with the Federal Government to care for vets) about the elimination of bibs at all meals and the feeding of pork products to a resident who wasn't supposed to get it (it was right on his meal ticket, but ignored).
One place only gives liquid to residents at meals if I get on their case. Some residents have been hospitalized multiple times with dehydration just this year. I write trip reports detailing the neglect and abuses and have testified at Senate hearings on the matter. I literally can't be in most of these places 10 minutes without spotting neglect and, often, abuse.

My time is much better served by working towards changes in training and care level requirements.

I have favorites at each home I visit. I take each one of them treats. I know what they like and what they can have (diabetic situations, etc.). I replace missing-worn out clothes, buy TV's where families are responsible for supplying them, etc.

Understand, I think anyone who plays for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities is doing a good thing.

Making these places better has become a major focus of my life. And to do that, I devote about 20 hours a week on-site.

I want the jerks who run some of these places to look twice when I walk in. And, I don't think they'd offer me a paying job or do anything to encourage additional visits.

And I intend to work as hard and as long as I can to get standards in place across the industry to correct rampant problems.


Russ



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 04-06-2009).]