Page 18 - Mid Valley Times 5-5-22 E-Edition
P. 18
By Ro LinscheiD
Nursing Homes are al- ways getting a bad rap. The service driven by need has extensive amount of regu- lations, lots of government and at times Federal, State and County oversight. Nursing Homes have a near impossible task that is written in the statues to be as sterile and sophisti- cated care practices, yet be a warm, inviting “home.”
I get angry when I read articles written by people who have never spent a day caring for the people we do tell us about the Nursing Home’s poor performance.
008766
Some politicians, to dis- tract blame on themselves, cry out for more and stiff- er regulations and larger monetary fines when nurs- ing homes do not or cannot comply with the stiff regu- lations. Then there is the idea that nursing homes should do more quality care with less money. The Cen- ter for Medicare Services (CMS) is cutting back the amount they will pay for a Medicare Stay for rehabili- tation. MediCal fluctuates the daily amount they will pay according to a cost sur- vey. There seem to be fewer and fewer private pay resi- dents. Staffing ratios are in place and staff would like to be paid a decent wage. Nursing homes in general have a lot to juggle to make the resident and their fam- ily feel cared for. Nursing homes are being blamed for letting down our senior population, when in fact;
the quality of care has risen greatly in the past ten years due to the persistent hard work of the front-line staff.
In this time of uncertain- ty about nursing homes, I came across an article written by a daughter who ended up placing her father in a nursing home after her mother died. According to the article, the daughter felt guilty about doing this because she had heard and believed all the bad press about nursing homes and nursing home care. She was young, still in school and felt she could not care for him. She felt she had no choice but to place him in a local home. To her surprise he flourished. His sadness over losing his wife lightened, he became ac- tive in the building mak- ing friends and he seemed to love life again. “In the nursing home, my father came alive again and went
back to his jovial, intellec- tually curious self.”
The article goes on to say a few years later the daughter had an illness and brought her father home to help because he begged her to allow him to help her. The time together was disastrous because the fa- ther suddenly had to fend for himself and depres- sion, inability to cope, and a helplessness set in. The two finally realized the fa- ther needed to go back to the nursing home. Once again, he flourished and aged gracefully for several more years.
We also witness this at Sierra View Homes. I re- cently roamed the halls of the Nursing Care Cen- ter and found groups of people enjoying each oth- er’s company. A group of friends enjoying ice cream and coffee. The conversa- tion seemed lively and fun.
I saw a group doing an ac- tivity together discussing what they were doing and the choices they were mak- ing. It made me want to jump in and join the crowd.
Of course, we know there are some nursing homes that have poor leadership and are not affective in the care of residents. We know there are companies that run nursing homes
for profit. Overall, even in these places the staff is car- ing and concerned for the residents. The staff who work in nursing homes do so because it is a work of love, compassion and being able to make a difference in the lives of each resident. It is the direct-line staff who interacts and engages with the residents that makes the difference.
COA #170 Lic.#100404809
(559)638-6933 PalmVillage.com
703 W. Herbert Avenue │ Reedley, CA
We do Business in Accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law
Thursday, May 5, 2022 | A18 | Mid Valley TiMes
Health &Fitness
Health &Fitness
Nursing Homes Good or Bad?
Our Most Affordable Patio Home
One and Two Bedroom Availability
One of the best things about aging is being able to enjoy the fruits of your labor without as many obligations as you might have had when you were a younger adult. For example, many men and women have a lot more freedom to travel once they turn 50. Many of today’s older adults have a wealth of discretionary time, and those who focused on re- tirement planning from an early age have the money to fund a recreational lifestyle. Travel companies and other businesses understand that Baby Boomers and other seniors are valuable cus- tomers and are rolling out the red carpet with a bevy of discounts and perks.
AARP Services, Inc. has long been a trusted resource in senior-based information and resources. The organi- zation continues to broker relationships with various companies to arrange deals on travel-related services and products for older men and women.
Members of AARP can link directly to deals through the organization’s website. In addition to companies that work with AARP, many other travel companies have discounts or other perks available to men and women over 50. All consumers need to do is inquire about such benefits. When in doubt, log on to the company’s website or give their customer service department a call.
Here are some other ways to secure deals on travel and other services. Do some networking. Fellow seniors who log in to chat rooms or who are members of social clubs may have the inside scoop on age-based travel deals. Learn the ropes from others who have been there before you and take notes on which companies offer the best deals.
Read the fine print. Un- derstand the details of se- nior discounts and compare them to other promotions offered to anyone, regard-
less of age. You may be able to get a better deal or combine offers if you’re not locked into a senior plan. Also, check the dates when deals are valid to ensure you can travel when you want to.
Always carry proof of age. Whether it is a driver’s license, AARP card, pass- port, or birth certificate, carry proof of your age at all times. You do not want to miss out on a discount because you cannot verify you are 50 or older. Though being mistaken as younger could be a boost to your ego, it will not benefit your bottom line. Explore airline perks. Men and women 55 and older may be eligible for “golden-agers” discounts at major airlines. Such deals are not typically advertised, so you may need to speak with an airline representa- tive to secure the discount. Seniors also can request special services, such as baggage assistance, prior- ity seating and a ride to the gate, at the airport.
Try negotiating with ven- dors. If you cannot find a senior discount, consider negotiating with vendors for deals. Local hotels or businesses may prove more flexible than national chains. It never hurts to ask for a senior discount.
Embrace flexibility in scheduling. Unlike students or business travelers, seniors tend to have freedom with regard to the days of the week when they can travel. You have the flexibility to go and come as you please without having to coordi- nate with vacation time or school breaks. Use this to your advantage and travel during off-peak times when crowds will be small and rates may be lower.
Don’t feel down if you’re approaching another mile- stone birthday. Entering into your golden years gives you access to a variety of perks and discounts that can save you time and mon- ey on travel.
REF
D LINEN
D/W
WDW
W/H STORAGE
COATS
W/H STORAGE
REF
COATS
D/ W
LINEN
New Look, Same Great Service!
Retirement
Lifestyles
Travel benefits for those ages 50 and up
008263
CLOSET CLOSET
CLOSET CLOSET
LINEN LINEN
CLOSET
