Unfortunately I’ve come into contact some shady individuals. One AD was given money by some of the resident’s families to buy small items such as food, toiletries, and clothing. It turns out she was pocketing the money for herself. At this facility they pay me in cash- she kept making excuses for not having my payments. I guess stole my pay too. They owe me several months of pay and I’m trying to decide what actions to take.

Go directly to the Administrator, or the owner if you can find him. They may not know you haven't been paid if the AD is stealing it!
DonM

The staffing problems in nursing homes; particularly "for profit" nursing homes, is a serious, persistent problem.

Here in Kentucky, organized "for profits" are fighting efforts to require background checks.

Checking the national ratings for nursing homes is a real eye opener. These are conducted and published several times a year.

As a long-time advocate for nursing home reform, I have seen pervasive "scary" stuff across the country.

It's a big dollars game, and, unfortunately, the residents...the most vulnerable...are the ones who suffer.

Look behind the smiles. It will make you sick!


Russ

Russ is right on the money about the national ratings - they are real eye openers. A lot of the ones that really look great on the outside are real dungeons when it comes to patient care.

As for the pay, ALL of the locations I work in my area require invoices, which are usually sent to corporate offices by the AD. I haven't been paid in cash for more than a decade. The checks come in 3 to 6 weeks, and they're sent from locations all over the country.

At the end of the year each of the corporations sends me a 1099 form (misc. income), which usually shows up in mid to late January and can be as late as mid February. By law, they should be in your hands by January 31, but with some of the largest corporations, that's never the case.

I would have a serious talk with the administrator if you haven't been paid for months on end. And, did you submit an invoice to the AD? If not, you should have. Invoices not only allow you to track your customer payments, but also provide you with the bookkeeping information you'll need come tax time.

Good luck,

Gary

Gary......I agree with everything you said in your post here, except for this. You can deliver a 747 Jumbo Jet filled with "the goods," but you still have to get around the AD and their rather "unusual" way of thinking!



Yes, and then you have to start the whole process all over again....introduce yourself via phone calls, fax, mail, do auditions or send demo tapes, waiting for an opening so you can show them your act, etc

I'm seriously thinking about what Deane wrote. I think he's right on the money:



I can't say it hasn't been a good run, but maybe it IS time to consider re-inventing myself.

Wasn't it Bob Dylan who sang "The Times They Are A-Changin'?"

Change can be a good thing when the timing is right. Personally, I've been thinking for a while now about opening a shop selling "talking pigeons" and studying ballet in my spare time!

Sometimes people think they have the goods.........but Only in THEIR minds....

Mark- I've seen you in person- please no tights + tutu!!!

Yes, I'm planning on talking with the administrator, but that is a serious PITA. An hour drive or calling and being placed on hold. Just like the new cliche "ain't nobody got time for that"

Anyways, yes I do keep invoices for my own records but I'm not sure how much good that would do me if this NH just decides to screw me.

Sad thing is, I developed really good relationships with the residents. Many recognize me right away when I come in . This one 95 year old lady always gets get teary eyed when I dedicate her favorite song "Star Dust" to her.

I feel very bad, but I may just have to write this place off. It's a very depressing place and would feel horrilbe if I had to send my parents there. I do feel very bad for the residents and will miss them.

Paul,

When something like this happens, it's very important to send them a copy of the invoice, and be sure to write PAST DUE in bold print across the face of the invoice using a bright, red highlighter pen. And, if sending it to the AD doesn't get a response within a week, send it to the accounting department with a copy to the administrator.

I always hand a copy of the invoice to the AD prior to the job commencing. This is an important aspect of doing business, especially with large, corporate owned and operated facilities. I've only had a few problems in two decades of the NH circuit, and sending the Past Due invoice copy to the administrator resulted in the "It's not my job" attitude AD being fired on the spot. Most of the time, however, I just call the AD, tell them that the check's not here, and amazingly, the check seems to show up within a couple days at most.

Now, it this facility tends to be notorious for this type of activity, then this is a place where you really don't want to perform. While this is a wonderful way to make a living, keep in mind that in order for the business to survive you must get paid.

As for placing your parents in an assisted living facility or nursing home, we all never want to face this problem, but in many instances it's inevitable. Everyone that is in these facilities really does not wish to be there. Unfortunately, there comes a time when you alone can no longer provide the care for loved ones who had the misfortune to outlive their body.

On Friday I had an appointment with my primary care physician at the VA Hospital in Perryville, MD. She told me my cholesterol was too high and wants me to take a new, cholesterol lowering drug. I told her flat out - NO! She asked why and I informed her that my lungs are shot to Hell from asbestos and I'm hoping that my next heart attack is sudden and fatal. It's beats the Hell out of slowly suffocating to death over a period of months or years. She's a nice lady, but not too smart. I'm hoping I will not end up in a nursing home, but you just never know. Keep in mind, though, that most people die at home, even when they have a long, debilitating disease. Only a small percentage of individuals end up in assisted living or nursing homes.

Good luck,

Gary

Just been reading the posts and still haven't changed my mind about my posts or most of what has been said here. Today I have another gig and the first thing I thought of after getting out of bed this morning was the fact I "HAD" to go play another gig. Somehow it just isn't the fun it once was. Last night I even started going through all my keyboards and music related junk thinking about what I could start selling off and at what price points.

The problem is I really have nothing else I have a serious interest in doing and the music at least keeps my mind busy and provides an outlet for those days when there is nothing else to do. I'm at that point in my life when most things are on that "been there, done that" list - some of which shouldn't have been done the first time. Oh well, off I will go today and will certainly play with vigor and spirit for the residents.

By the way, each year I always end up with some invoices that never get paid. Seems to be part of the business and it seldom is worth the effort to chase them down which usually requires many phone calls, several emails, and often more than one faxe. I usually end up just writing them off and saving myself a lot of time and frustration.
Deane