I am finding It very hard to write this, as it is currently affecting a family member .America’s shame, at least one that Is a heinous representation of a society gone mad, is our treatment of the elderly. It is a moral and ethical issue. A result of greed, lobbyist monies, etc, you name it. It’s the other side of the see saw, where death is the reward for playing.

What are the issues, and why it matters

The most often cited problem is staffing, the vast majority of nursing homes struggle to find enough workers, let alone qualified staff. Aides are often paid minimum wages, no benefits, which in turn drives a large turnover. Over half of staffs, including RN’s, leave within a year. And here is the kicker. A recent Federal rule for minimum staffing was recently blocked in court. Bastards. In other words, non enforcement of minimum care. So what happens under these conditions? Long waits for help, missed meals, dehydration, risk of falls and improper transfers.

Neglect, abuse, and quality of care

Missed meals, medication skips, untreated wounds, dehydration, and isolation. Emotional, physical and even sexual abuse have been reported. Once again, Medication errors. Wrong drugs, missed dosages, wrong amounts. Poor hygiene, people sitting in their own urine, their own feces.

Sky high costs and financial strain

Most long term care is out of reach for those of middle Income. The Medicare gap. Medicare doesn’t pay for long term custodial care. Medicaid will, after they’ve drained you dry. Financial exploitation  , Residents have been shaken down by staff.

Weak regulation and enforcement

Federal and state standards, if they can be said to exist, are abysmal. Nursing homes are regulated ( In theory), by the Feds. Assisted living have little oversight at all. Most facilities have many strikes, but are seldom struck out.

Corporatization and profit driven models.

Many are chains owned by private equity firms. Often, in pursuit of more and more profit, they cut staff, and ignore the living conditions of residents.

Growing demand

Demographics, we as a population are getting older. The result of the stupid, two child model that alarmists foisted on the public.

An additional take

We as a people have become immoral. It’s true. We do not love our elderly, we do not respect them. Never mind that the natural time progression assures a seat at the table. And our own government might be complicit in killing these precious souls. You may think there are no death panels, but I assure you, there are. I sat right across from a lawyer, a lawyer representing the elderly In Washington, who looked me straight In the eye. And said, he has sat across from them, presenting briefs to block laws that would hasten people’s demise. Call it what you will. Also, I encourage anyone that is interested In the subject of this conveyor belt of Death, to read the expose by Kelliegh Nelson. The title is, Killing Us Softly. This isn’t the documentary by another. This predates that, with different subject matter. I confirmed the following at our local Hospital. Obamacare changed the way hospitals were compensated. It went form a fee service basis, to global capitation. This means a demographic generates certain value points to a person. All these people are thought of as a conglomerate. This means that some hospitals get paid, even if a person isn’t being treated. This is why nursing home admissions tripled under Obamacare initially. It was a defacto bonus to hospitals, and yes, that very hospital that I reside near. I asked this question, as to whether this was indeed the case. One surgeon said yes, some of his colleagues were involved in that.

My own perspective

How a nation treats their elderly will determine how soon a nation dies.  It is a moral sign post. I don’t like to swear. It’s a habit that I fought long and hard with. But out of respect for these people, the mothers, the father’s . I think the politicians who take lobbying money to maintain this travesty are going straight to an everlasting Hell, and those sons of bitches, do not deserve mercy. I believe that the bean counters will be on their coat tails, I believe the indifferent, the shruggers, the complacent, will be joining them. And I actually hate saying it. Once again where are the churches? Those who were given the original mandate to take care of the widows and orphans, who don’t find ways to help. Bringing baskets and candy is not a help. Demanding changes Is. Sorry this wasn’t more light hearted. But some things are beyond import.

Good day.

Dedicated to my Mother in Law.