The Spotlight on Nursing Home Buy-Outs Is Overdue

There’s little fight as desperate as one with a failing care facility

Photo by Bruce Tang on Unsplash

I kept a spreadsheet itemizing each call I made on behalf of my parents, each text to the director of nursing, each plea with the nursing home administrator at the place I’d trusted with their care. The heat went out frequently enough that hall units were added on a temporary basis. When weather warmed and the air conditioning was not on yet, I ran to a hardware store and bought a fan — sweaty, visiting family members of other residents asked where I found it. The call button often quit working. My parents were given a dinner bell to ring if they needed help. But when a single aide was down a long hall, there was little chance the tiny bell would be heard. I asked over and over for an evaluation for both parents who seemed to have dementia. Other times, I asked to have someone trim their toenails. From brain health to the tips of their toes, promised care never came. I was too trusting for too long.

A big million-dollar renovation was underway in the front lobby when they moved in, which to me seemed like an investment in the older building; a good sign. However, as renovations swept the building — wallpaper added here, new paint there — the cosmetic changes seemed to become an excuse to leave residents in their rooms…