ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 6, 1990                   TAG: 9007060629
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

GIVE NURSING HOMES SURPRISE INSPECTIONS

MISCONDUCT at nursing homes has again been brought to public attention by a deplorable beating allegedly inflicted on a 94-year-old lady.

I sincerely hope that this incident awakens state officials, relatives and friends of those in nursing homes to be alert for signs of mistreatment or neglect to patients. I realize that some people have no kin or friend who visits, but people who do visit can look out for others as well as their own special patient.

Officials should make surprise visits to these facilities, instead of letting them know when they are coming. Do they really expect to find many irregularities by coming in announced and then being escorted around by a staff member? How naive!

I know many people who have relatives in nursing homes, and without exception, I hear complaints about the care of these patients. I have no easy or quick solution, but surely the mistreatment of those unable to help themselves must sicken all Christian people. It sickens me.

Only recently, I was visiting in a local nursing home and noticed a rather minor incident of neglect. Lunch had been brought in for one little lady in a wheelchair. The aide plopped down the tray out of her reach, did not uncover the main dish, and stuck a glass of something into her hand.

The aide left. A friend visiting with me went over and uncovered the food, placing it within reach of the lady. She began to eat hungrily. In 10 or 15 minutes, an aide came into the room and commented that she had never seen the woman eat like that.

How many in these places who cannot even feed themselves go hungry because the aides do not feed them properly? Put yourself into that position of being able to see the food, but not to get it. How would you feel?

Below are two places to contact if you observe abuse going on in a nursing facility - and do not be afraid to contact them:

Commonwealth of Virginia, Department for the Aging, 700 E. Franklin St., 10th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219-2327; League of Older Americans, P.O. Box 14205, Roanoke, VA 24038.

JANE L. ORANGE\ BOONES MILL 


 by CNB