Nursing Homes Getting Good Care There The Working Caregiver Series

Posted In: Home Evaluation

Kemberly Lagerman says...

Long-term care is most always a crisis when it happens and decisions have to be made in such a short period of time. With the advent of the internet and community resources to draw upon, most people mange the best they can.I was introduced to this book some 5 years ago when volunteering as a Certified Long-term care Ombudsman.It's now in it's Second Edition.A must read for anyone admitting and overseeing the care of a loved one.



Bill McCool

Columbus, OH

Posted on February 12, 2011

Akiko Deuink says...

The book does offer some useful information for anyone who has not had much experience with nursing homes. Therole of the Ombudsman which I believe is voluntary, or was, is a very important task for thepatients, family and of course the state watchdogs. I am curious about the actual length of time spent in a nursing home and is it a working relationship or one of pure observation. Ever have a bad day at work and the boss you never see comes in??? They write aboutstaff and the nursing homes responsibility but I never read anything about family responsibility.We live in a society that has no time to care for our elderly family members, we are to busy working, going on vacations, where's the sacrifice, You know the kind our parents gave to us.Taking care of an elderly parent is a lot of work and sometimes they have to go to a nursing home because of extensive medical conditions and safety reasons.If you really want to be an advocate for your family members talk to the penny pinching lawmakers who spend very littlemoney on wages improvements, training, just to name a few.The typical American has no idea the poor reimbursement given to homes for the care of the elderly, and unless family is flipping the bill or insurance helps the care of our family members comes from the taxpayers.Contrary to what many believe children are not responsible to pay for their care.The authors talk about tips and tricks to get better care from the staff.Ha, You'll get better care when staff are paid a descent wage for a job no one wants to do not even family members. Want to see what really goes on take a cna course and work in a home for a month. You can't pass judgment on othersunless your willing to get your hands dirty.Stop blaming all theproblems in homes on the staff. Put it where it belongs, with you, greedy owners, uncaring lawmakers,all forms of media which play the sympathy card to often. Rather than bite the hand that cares for the elderly, chop the arm that cuts their budgets every year, look in the mirror who is truly responsible to care for your parents? You or me?

Posted on February 12, 2011

Sherita Beuter says...

A wonderful book !

It tells you all of the things that you might get a nursing home to do for your loved one.

Unfortunately, it doesn't say that there is NO way in h--- that any nursing home will do any of it. (Especially a for profit one.)

They just look at you as if you have two heads and continue doing what they always do, much to the detriment of the one you love and feel responsible for.

Posted on February 16, 2011

Johnathan Hargus says...

I am a registered nurse with past long-term care experience (I was a nursing assistant before becoming an RN) and family member of a nursing home resident. I believe this book hits the mark as a helpful guide to consumers of nursing home care and their families. It helps readers to understand the rights of nursing home residents, and what steps to take to be sure those are honored. It is clearly written and provides lots of practical guidance. In short, I think anyone who anticipates the need for services of a long-term care facility, or whose family member is already a nursing home resident, should get this book. Nursing home residents need advocates, and family members who are well informed can better act on their loved ones' behalf. Some wonderful initiatives are underway to make nursing homes better places to live; this book also explains how to join in this effort.

Posted on February 19, 2011