Forgive me for not spelling correctly.  I do know how to spell but type too fast and do not proof read.

Great comment VetsVoice.  We do want the CNA’s paid a fair rate just as we do the LPN’s and RN’s.  You all deserve it if you do your job in a professional manner with compassion and respect for the residents and sponsors.  However, for the employees who are not qualified, do not respect or understand the residents and sponsors concern over their loved ones:  I say “GET OUT.”  You do not need to be their.  If more than one CNA at a time takes a break, they need to be reported.  You say that you do not have enough help!  Then why did I see three CNA’s sitting watching T.V. with the residents when they should have been caring for the other residents.  Use good judgement and stop feeling sorry for yourselves.  Speak up!  Hang in there!  There are those that care and respect you for your work ethics and want you there if you want to be there.

This is a reply to debra 46.  You are ABSOLUTELY right about the pay for CNA’s.  The CNA’s deserve to be fairly compensated.  The job is difficult, and it is very frustrating at times.  I know, since I cared for my father in my home until one person could no longer take care of him. However, it can be very rewarding, also.  It is very difficult to maintain a professional attitude when a resident is being difficult - but that is part of the problem. The residents are sick, or they wouldn’t be there. The residents are often not even capable of understanding that they are being difficult, and are often not responsible for their actions.  Anyone who takes on the job must realize that is the case.  In the case of WF Green, FIVE MONTHS AGO sponsors STRONGLY urged HMR to increase CNA’s pay to rates that are comparable to facilities in Mobile and Pensacola.  They believe that the CNA should be fairly compensated well as well as being held accountable for providing caring and competent care.

Come on with your comments! I’m ready…. debra46

The state will say the resedent cant have food, and a hair brush in their drawer together, so us nuse aides will have to go threw their drawers and remove it then the resedent gets mad and hits, and is mean but as a nurse aide we are not allowed to tell the resedent NO, or Stop or that is abuse so we have to just take it acording to the state! I think CNA’S should get payed so much more than miminum wage as a lot off them pay us. We are the ones that knows what goes on, and we take care off our elderly. Their need to be hidden cameras in most off their rooms so these family members can see what goes on, what do you tell a nurse aide to do with someone that is being combative, fighting cause we are trying to clean the B.M off their bottoms and they are hitting us? we have to just take it and if the resedent falls because he, or she is hitting, bitting what ever than if we get hurt and they fall than we lose our lisence, ‘Oh comeone people open your eyes!

I get so tired off cna’s being blamed for everything bad that goes on in nursing homes. I have been a cna sence 1989 and i have seen a few nurse aides that has verbally abused residents, and i have reported them to state, and they were dismissed but 90% off family members, won’t or can’t take care off their family members at home most just wont. When the family member does come to visit them it is once, or twice a yr. then they want to cause problems and act like they care i have seen so many cases where the elderly was taken out off their sons home or daughters because they were being abused, negleted and state put them in nursing home where i have worked onced a yr they would come visit but that was only to try to find a reason to sue and to gain money. Their are alot off bad nursing homes, and nurses, and nurse aides. But their are more that are good! The state puts down these guil lines to nurses, and nurse aides especially they say do it this way, well they have never done it,

I agree that the veterens home has problems.  Truefully, I believe that there will be problems in any home that deals with people suffering from dementia, arthritis, and other health issues.  I also believe that in order to understand exactly what goes on in a home, you have to be an employee with proper training.  I understand that family will have concerns in issues they think they know about.  The biggest problem in homes is not taking the time to educate the family.  For instance, how can you prevent the fall of a man who constantly insist he can walk, but will give out in just a few steps?  Who stops this man from getting up, when other employees are tending to other residents?  This is just the tip of the iceburg.  People need to realize that even the best employees in the best home cannot prevent every incident.  I blame the Dept of Public Health, who regulates nursing homes but does nothing to educate home employees or family.  The Dept has just as many bad employees any home

Bett,
Since you evidently started the forum discussion on the Veterans Home by sharing your knowledge on how to report abuse, I am surprised that you are awed that other people may have some opinions of their own and may have already goine through these avenues and reached a stone wall.  Maybe all of these responses were not concerning your statement but the statements of others concerning the subject.  If the ones in authority at the Veterans Home had addressed the issues in the beginning, we would not be having this discussion and the State Department of Health would not have become involved.  Eight days of investigation is way and beyond normal procedure.  Who ever you are, I hope that you do seek higher ground,  find peace in doing whatever it is that you do with compassion and concern by reaching out to others.  When you receive the response email, click on the site at the bottom of the page to stop receiving notifications if you do not wish to receive a comment.  God bless you for replying at all to enlighten us on your knowledge of reporting such abuse.  I am sure you meant well.

I am awed by the number of “Someone just responded to your email” in my mailbox.  I regret that although there was a Public Forum to air complaints, an investigative visit, newspaper articles, and a TV news feature, to see that these WFG issues are being rehashed. What is the ultimate goal in restating well-publicized allegations?  After much thought and reflection, my final comments on this forum are this.  It is time to move on to higher ground.  Why not convert the negativism into positive energy? We may not be able to control some adverse circumstances in life but we can control our reactions and attitudes.  Perhaps, centering on being a breath of fresh air in the facility with smiles and pats on the back will help to dissipate the anguish of those who feel mistreated.  It is stressful to have a family member in a nursing home environment—I was there 29 months—but is can also be an opportunity for personal growth and development, an education on issues of aging, and a ministry in being a blessing to residents, sponsors, and staff. My prayer is for God’s love and guidance to shine in all of our hearts as we reach out to others.

For those who have had good communication and good experiences with W. F. Green, I am very happy for you. But, please do not discount the very real experiences that others have had.  Just because you are not aware of the problems, it does not mean they don’t exist.  Those who complained DID go to the authorities - that is why the Health Dept was there for 8 days instead of the usual 1-2.  Contrary to what Admiral Marsh has said publicly, no one has told lies about the nursing home.  Their experiences were all too real!  It is simplistic to say that one should simply move the resident to another facility. This home is the only option for some residents, for various reasons. That also leaves those who are left there at risk.  There are wonderful employees there - there are also those who don’t need to be there.  It is a beautiful facility and everyone is very grateful to have it there. But, if there is even one case of abuse or one death from neglect, that is too many!!!  Residents, themselves, have expressed gratitude for those who are trying to see that conditions improve. That is really what this is all about - the veterans.