 |
 |
Pardon me, but my lovely wife of 24 years has worked as a licensed social worker in the nursing home environment for over 15 years. So I would like to say one or two words on the subject. 1. Nursing-homes are just like our homes, we all live on a budget. Yes it would be nice to have marble floors and vaulted ceilings. With the best staffing money could buy. But the reality is that most nursing homes must subsist on the pittance received from Medicaid for the vast majority of their residents. 2. How many of you that have complaints have ever attended a care plan meeting of your loved ones? My wife, the social worker, takes great pride in her planning and notification of a patient's care plan meetings. And the reality is nine out of 10 times the family is in no show. 3. How many of you have volunteered time and energy to be in nursing home ombudsman? I'll leave that that with the understanding that my wife takes pride in her work and truly cares for those whose families who rarely if ever comes to visit them. But shame on you that would paint the nursing-home industry with a wide brush of your discontent. Just as we must be advocates for our own personal struggles with this demon we call Parkinson's disease. So must you be the advocate for your loved ones whom you have institutionalized. Sincerely, Terry Bowers -- As a young-onset patient of Parkinson's Disease, a progressive, degenerative, as yet incurable neurological disorder, Terry has become a tireless Advocate, speaking and writing on behalf of Parkinson's patients and their families and caregivers. To invite Terry to come and speak to your group, club or organization contact him at [log in to unmask] or call him at 254-747-0856. Topics include Parkinson's Awareness, Activism and Self-Determination, Bioethics, and Stem Cells and Their Sources. "A cure by 2005" Texas Parkinsonian Advocate ----- Original Message ----- From: "Maxine Krugman" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 9:40 AM Subject: Re: Nursing Home for PWP i would like to add one comment to this thread about nursing homes or assisted living facilities, etc. if you have information about parkinson in a concise form, written or are willing and able (or know someone qualified) to do an in-service at the facility, that will help as well. most facilities would like greater knowledge about the situations with which they regularly deal and a half hour session about relevant parkinson issues can go a long way. discussion of how getting the meds at a certain time will not only be better for the patient but make it easier on the staff person as well because the meds will work better, last longer etc. mood issues with PD, protein in the diet and when etc. are all things when explained briefly but thoroughly might turn a light on for the cna who could be caring for your loved one. even if you develop a one page list of general, key parkinson information with bullet points, or get one from your local caregiver agency, npf, apda or loads of others, you will be doing something significant. and consider going to all the skilled licensed facilities in your area...not just your loved one needs this help. maxine ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn