I have been taken to task by some here for not finding a couple of hours a month to play at nursing homes or assisted living places.

Here's what I do:
* In the 2 hours it would take to set-up; tear down and play, I write an op ed piece on an aspect of nursing home reform that is picked up by 10 newspapers with a total readership of nearly 10 million.

* Or, I travel to the state capital to lobby for reform.

* I play one job a month and donate the proceedings ($250-500)to Kentuckians for Nursing home Reform.

In top of that:
* I'm a pretty good player, but a terrible entertainer...
just don't have the skills some of you have in that area.

* I spent 5 days a week in "for profit" nursing homes in the last 14 years trying to protect loved ones. Generally, the best there is are AWFUL (ever see ANY oral care in any place you've been in? You won't. Carefully watch the feeding process. That's generally a real eye opener).

Keep up the good work. I'm with you in spirit...I just have to concentrate my efforts on things I can do that maximize my effectiveness. To most marginal area nursing homes, I am "the enemy". They make me sick!

Russ Lay
Board Member: Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform.