Aging in America-The Need for More Nurses and Nursing Aides

Four Decades ago, when I was in my 40's, I happened to visit a nursing home in Chicago, Illinois. I was shocked and depressed to see so many senior citizens in need of assistance just to cope up with their daily activities. This feeling comes again every day when I visits Macrine in the skilled nursing and rehabilitation hospital where she had check in since the 19th of May. The ratio of the elderly patients for rehab to home health aides/nurses per shift is about 1 to 20. In this rehab hospital that Macrine is staying, the aides are primarily members of the minorities populations-(non white)-Hispanic, Asian, black, Filipino, Chinese and Indian Americans. According to the stats they are poorly paid. Thus the care of the elderly is compromised because the aides are overworked and too many patients to take care of. Underpaid and without a strong union, home health aides make an average wage of about $23,000, according to the New York Times’ Binyamin Appelbaum. "Instead of white men who make stuff, the group is increasingly made up of minority women who serve people,” he writes. Indeed, immigrants account for almost a third of the in-home health-care workforce, and one in five of them are undocumented, by one estimate.

A rapidly growing elderly population might be the most important yet inevitable feature of the country’s economic future. Why aren’t voters hearing more about it? Here's an excerpt about how the Aging Population is changing America( see reference below). It mentioned the need for home health aides/nurses and rise in health care spending.

"Does the inevitable aging of America carry obvious public-policy recommendations? The need for home health aides should factor into the conversation about immigration, yet I have heard nothing on the campaign trail about how the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. currently relies on a steady supply of immigrants. The rise in health-care spending for the elderly will force debates about the most humane and affordable way to care for those who need it. The next presidents may not serve as grand architects of public health policy, as Obama did. Rather they may have to serve as tinkerers and handymen, making targeted fixes to keep the house from falling apart.

"As Americans live longer, poor and middle class retirees will need more savings. The U.S. government could discuss an expansion of Social Security for the poorest, or new ways to force—or “nudge”—even low-income Americans to save enough money to last their extended lifetimes".

Do you agree? Let me hear from you!

Reference: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/10/aging-america/503177/

My Second Review of HCR ManorCare of Citrus Heights, California

This is our 3rd time ( for Macrine) to check in at ManorCare for post rehabilitation after hospitalization. We saw familiar faces ( nurses and aides) as well as supervisors. We were welcome just like we were all related. The nursing staff is about 30% Filipino-Americans, 50% Indian-Americans and the rest have Hispanic and Other Asians ancestry. They are caring and compassionate with a few exceptions especially on the supervisory staff who appeared to be overworked and tired most of the time. The Medical doctors are either Indian or Filipino Americans. Most of the nursing staff are part-time employees. I am rating our stay this time as Good.

Once in a while ( especially during Change of Shift), you have to wait for more than 10 minutes to get a response from your HELP BUTTON. I have heard of patients shouting for Help with no one responding for more than 10 minutes. Otherwise I am happy with our care especially the physical therapy we are receiving for 6 days.

Manor Care is a 162 beds nursing skilled and rehabilitation facility located on Upland Way in Citrus Heights, CA. The standard rooms are double occupancy. There are 10 rooms for private patients who pays additional rent of $60 per day because it is not covered by Medicare unless the patient has an infectious decease. The facility is very clean with beautiful landscaping and has a NO SMOKING policy. ManorCare provides individualized post-hospital skilled nursing care in a comfortable environment. Its clinical and therapy teams are experienced in providing specialized care focused on the patient needs, interests and ability. For detailed information on ManorCare of Citrus Heights read the following:

https://www.nursinghomesite.com/MANORCARE_HEALTH_SERVICES_%28CITRUS_HEIGHTS%29_CITRUS_HEIGHTS_CA

For the latest financial news on HCR ManorCare read the following:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hcrmanorcare-bankruptcy-quality-care/hcr-manorcare-files-for-bankruptcy-with-7-1-billion-in-debt-idUSKBN1GH2BU

Personal Note: David III and I are sending our gratitude and thanks to the following: Jean Maeda Jambalos for her hospital visit and flowers, Dinah and Ditas for their telephone calls, Sister Guia, Merlet Perlas, Genny Mendosa-Nieva, John Ocampo, Mark Richards, Eleanor Sabalbaro, Alma Sosa and Antonio Marques Sans for their FB messages of concern and hopes for a rapid recovery. Last but not least to Mele Tonga our compassionate and caring care giver.

Abuse of the Elderly in Nursing Homes and Other Facilities

Two weeks ago ( May 15) Macrine was hospitalized for severe bladder and kidney infections which completely immobilized her-a complete metabolic shut down. Luckily in four days her infection was cured via IV antibiotics, but her movement had been restricted and needed several weeks of rehabilitation. We again checked in at Manor Care ( our 3rd time in two years)- a well rated rehabilitation hospital near us. We have been here in Manor Care for almost a week and Macrine is showing improvement with physical and occupational therapies daily. However, she could barely stand and now starting to talk, but still has no appetite and constipated. She is taking a stool softener twice a day, but her bowel movement is still abnormal. I stayed with her overnight to be sure she is taking fluids and not dehydrated and will not fall on her bed when she wakes up and panic if there is no one around. We have a private room ( ADDITIONAL FEE from own account) which is not covered by my insurance. We also hired a private care giver ) at my own personal expense to be around Macrine during the day, so I could get some sleep and be ready for my night duties.

This past week, I have been observing that at the night shift, there is a lot of opportunity for abuse by male attendants, if the nursing aides are abusive both physically and sexually to the senior patients. Thus I did some Internet search and here's some statistics on abuse of the elderly in nursing homes and other facilities in the US for your information. According to the best estimates, about 1-2 million U.S. citizens 65 years of age or older have been mistreated, exploited or injured by a caregiver. For more details on this subject read:

https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/statistics/

Are You Ready for the Big One in California?

Shake Potential Map of California( From: https://www.shakeout.org/california/sandiego/)

I am talking about Earthquakes here in California! Recent earthquakes in Alaska and in Southern California ( Channel Islands) would indicate the Big One is coming. We do not know when, but based on historical statistics it probably would occur soon. So are you Prepared for the Big One?

If you resides in the Fault zone ( see map), I suggest be prepared now. There are information in the Internet of what you need to have and what to do in case the Big One comes. Here's the site: https://www.calacademy.org/explore-science/how-to-prepare-for-an-earthquake

Here's also the latest information of things to know about earthquakes for your information and reading pleasure.

https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/9/21/16339522/8-things-to-know-about-earthquakes-alaska

Note: When I was a child growing up in Iloilo City, Philippines, I experienced the Jaro Earthquake ( magnitude 7) which destroyed the cathedral steeple and dozens of other buildings in the city. I also experienced the La Loma Earthquake in 1989, when we still residing in Pinole, California. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_Loma_Prieta_earthquake).

Both earthquakes were scary and an experience I will never forget.

What an Hour of Whole Body Massage Can Do for Your Body and Spirit

Three weeks ago, Macrine and I had a one hour each of whole body massage by Mark Richards (http://www.sacramentocmt.com/).

I can still remember how relax I was and my whole body was ache-free. Prior to the massage my back aches and my leg muscles were cramping. Mark starts massaging your back. Then your foot and legs ( Left and Right). This is followed by both your arms and fingers. The massage ends with your neck and shoulder. To me the most enjoyable part of the massage is my two feet. Now I know why the ancient Chinese tradition of Foot Massage was very popular during the Middle ages.

Macrine and I had this luxury of a once a month home service whole body massage. We highly recommend Mark for his massage services. He can vary the pressure of his massages at your request. The cost incurred and dent from our budget is not small but the pleasure/benefits we received is worth every penny of it.

Here's are two videos of a deep tissue foot and leg massage and a whole body traditional massage from wikihow.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Vcixxpwvg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Vcixxpwvg