I have had the unfortunate experience recently of picking up the Republican-American’s editorial section and reading about the gaps in nursing- home service delivery.  We have heard from a resident of a nursing-home who described her stay as isolating and prison-like. Another letter came from someone who has experience working in a long-term care facility.  We also heard from lawyer Kevin Brophy and his appeal for an increase in caregiver hours.  A number of issues developing in the long-term care system need immediate attention.

First, we have begun to reassess the way that long-term care is delivered.  The Money Follows the Person federal pilot program, spearheaded by Joe Stango, will provide the opportunity for nursing-home residents to go home and receive care.  This is one step in the right direction.  Second, staffing shortages in facilities have caused a strain on nursing homes as they work to provide quality patient care.

A third and probably one of the most critical issues is the need for more effective collaboration and discussion on how health-care providers, policy-makers, agencies and the public can adequately help rebalance the long-term care system together so we are not pointing fingers about who’s at fault, further stigmatizing long-term care facilities. We need to provide support to facilities with the greatest needs and issues, and recognize the impact our baby boom generation will have on long-term care.  We will need to accommodate the volumes of people needing long-term care in both settings, and be realistic about how this will be carried out.

Lastly, we must be cognizant of the needs of the human spirit among those receiving long-term care.  This is a major part of the long-term care equation.  There are cost-effective interventions that nurture the social and emotional needs of long-term care recipients. These programs potentially can have an impact on physical and mental health status.  Why are we not looking at such interventions more closely as part of the solution in rectifying issues of isolation and quality of life? Improving the mental and physical health status of the patient will have a guaranteed positive effect on the financial bottom line, by reducing patients’ dependence on medical care and medication.

I am executive director of the Waterbury-based Home-to-Home Foundation (www.hometohomefoundation.org).  Founded by Waterbury pulmonologist Dr. Richard Silverman, this organization works to implement cost-effective interventions through volunteerism and extensive community involvement.  The organization works to provide more consistent human contact, individualized programs and support through volunteers.  This is one of several agencies surfacing around the state advocating for programs tailored around human contact, greater support and nurturing of the spirit.

Let’s start getting more involved in changing the future of everyone’s long-term care now.