Life Is One Big Test

Just when you think you have the right answer, life shows you what was once right, is no longer, and you now have an even more complicated challenge . . . or does it?

Some have stretched out their hand while riding life's Merry-Go-Round and pulled back a part or even the whole brass or even gold ring living a life others would love to have.

Others ride the endless merry-go-round, holding on tight just to try to make it from the beginning of the ride through the countless and endless circles of the journey.

Many have lived and continue to live with challenges of health and well being from basic needs to growing medical concerns . . . 

and although some have "come to the rescue" donating time and even money, the challenges continue. . . because the basic components of the problem have always been set aside. 

We reason, we rationalize, we set goals and fixate on achievement only to hit a "pause" or "replay" in life to see with different eyes the goals we set, we missed and achieved, have a different value from a different point of view. . 

Too costly, too time consuming, not as important as another "problem" which would receive more support and bring more positive recognition

Some have put others before themselves and outside forces have intervened to disrupt and negate causing more decline and regression.

Some believe "they" know better than we do because "they" had experience with the person making decisions "they" did not like, did not want and felt "deprived" so, of course, this was what was being done again. 

Maturity is not a number of years. It doesn't arrive suddenly with a specific birthday or even an event. Ask anyone who practices a skillset from sports to medicine and they'll tell you it's a constant learning experience and changing all the time.

As with so many other parts of life from the building by colonies of ants to man's reach for the stars . . . there are patterns we create by the choices we make.

Rationalizaton and Reasoning to get through times we want to get past:          

If it's in my life, I'll voice my opinion but I won't really ask questions and get involved.              

I already know everything I want or need to know.....let's just get on with my life and  someone will figure out how to handle, get rid of or even make whatever's the problem --    GO AWAY!

It may be a pattern ...

established from finding in life when you speak up you either get volunteered, pulled in or pushed  out; when you report something you see that is harming another or others, you find yourself embroiled in the "system" that takes you through a wringer and pushes you out in a  form that you don't recognize.

There are a myriad of reasons, ways to explain and even excuse our words and our actions.

Test Taking is a learned skill.

LIfe Test Taking is a learning skill.

What one life inequity or problem can you start today to move to being resolved through your personal action to bring to light, show to others and make the world just a little better because you were a part of it....

TIME'S UP.  As it eventually is for all of us. When you put down your life's pen, what will you have written. Will it be lengthy or short? 

Will you have made a positive difference? 

Each in their own way can make a better world with consideration for all with whom we share this finite location of ultimately limited space and time.

Dementia: How Do We Know Thee....Let Me Count The Ways...

Ideas and relationships of actions come to me at the oddest times and in the strangest ways. Today it was seeing an announcement of Robin Williams and his journey through Lewy Body Dementia.

We went on the Lewy Journey...it was longer than we realized, not just recognizing the disease but living with it far in advance of realizing IT was a part of Mom's life and ours. 

We lived together every day for almost forty years and did not see it; took Mom to Dr's for various reasons and NO ONE saw it.

Lewy Body Dementia is an amazing chameleon like affliction. Thought about writing "disease" but we think of a disease as something we "catch". 

Reading a book, thinking about a family member, seeing pictures of an event.....each can cause thoughts about what could seem to be unrelated but spring into mind showing a direct connection with one another.

A few minutes ago I was thinking about my cousin who has early onset Dementia; not been told what form but another relative thinks it's Alzheimers. 

From spending time with her, I see and hear more memory "adjustment" than we experienced with Mom and her Lewy Body Dementia.

But then, MY brain asks, are we so sure we understand and can accurately categorize this "experience" of Dementia or will we look back on these times and those that went before as the "dark ages" of Dementia.

What came to mind was a photograph record...it's round....it brings music and words from the disc to our ears via a phonograph....Thomas Alva Edison...

We don't think about the person who went before Edison and who invented a "phonograph" that made a recording of sound waves on a glass plate but was unable to play back the sounds; he patented it on March 25 1857.

It took two specific pieces to create the ability to take what was "on" one piece to make it "come off" another yet still remain "embedded" in the original.

EUREKA! My mind said. I thought about my last visit with my cousin. We picked her up from her fairly new "home", an Assisted Living with Memory Care and took her to a party for one of her two daughters.

TRIGGERS.  Our mind receives (if all are working correctly) visual, audio, tactile and smell inputs and often finds relationships between these "senses" to what's occurring currently or has occurred in the past.

For my cousin with Dementia, the "recording" is playing and the "triggers" of sense interplay are working but the "timing" or where in time and space she is at the moment are not registering accurately.

To someone I would tell about our "experience", unless they had the same knowledge of Dementia as I do, they would simply see more evidence of my cousin's "Dementia" and how she was "really losing it".

What happened? Several times my cousin mentioned a Cousin we'd both spent significant amounts of time with when we were much younger. Joyce had an aneurysm at a very young age and passed suddenly in her sleep. 

To Karen, who was "here" and "now" physically and receiving stimulus by actions and activities, her brain was doing what would have been "normal" had it not been for Joyce's no longer being alive.

Karen made statements and asked questions and I believe somewhere deep inside her memories is the memory of Joyce having passed through this life but it wasn't "accessible" and she didn't have the ability to get to the information.

DEMENTIA IS A DISABILITY.  It limits but does not always remove capability and certainly not in all areas at the same time or at the same level.

DEMENTIA has been referred to as a "thief" but I've come to know it as an affliction of many types and varying levels that are not always consistent or visible.

TRIGGERS.  For Karen it was the two of us "cousins" being together and going to a family celebration.

Joyce would have been there if she could; we'd shared many memories together and to Karen we were the "slightly" older cousins who were "at that age" so envied by the ones who are five or more years younger. And Karen had actually spent more time in life with Joyce in our "grown up" life while my relationship with her was more from youth through early teens.

When you see all the pieces of the puzzle of Dementia and know where each part goes in a specific scenario you can relate to the person's challenge which is simply like having a short in a wiring system or a misconnect in time and place. 

So when we walked out the door and she asked where we were going and I told her we were taking her to her daughter's birthday party, Karen said she hoped Joyce would be there. 

Getting settled in the car, Karen said it had been a long time since she'd seen Joyce.

My interaction with friends, relatives and acquaintances with thought processing challenges has taught me to listen, not to correct, not to move forward into questioning or denial of what is said.

Karen asked if I thought Joyce might be coming to the party. She wondered when she would see her again if she wasn't. 

Karen smiled, she laughed and I could see her thoughts were of positive and enjoyable times. 

What difference did it make if she was "factual" and "accurate" and TOLD how things "really were"? None. 

There was no need to put a tailspin into her life and possibly affect the "NEW" experiences and possible memories, albeit for how long and in what way we could not say.

Instead I said I hadn't see Joyce in a very long time and I missed her, too.  

When Karen made this subject into a conversation, I simply took her "lead" without turning a sharp corner into areas where she could not go or would or could upset her because she could "experience" the pain we felt when we learned of Joyce's early and unexpected death.

Yes, the brain stores those hard, harsh and challenging memories along with the joys and celebrations and great events we go through.

Like that record and the phonograph, one without the other serves no real purpose, put them together and you have an "experience" and even, possibly, the recurrence of old memories or the making of new.

It's not lying to a person nor is is supporting "fabrications" or "untruths" as their journey is alongside us but there's a separation we cannot remove . . . or sometimes adjust . . . the covering or the level of light or darkness.

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Teach Your Children Well As They Will Inherit THIS Earth

What's happened in your neighborhood with COVID-19 since January 2020?

Two yards away a past Sunday evening I heard a conversation where a woman, a mother, spoke very negatively about the  practice of another Mom who decided to "allow" a visit by Mom's daughter to their home but only with "restrictions". 

Mom was "insulted" personally and "for her daughter"  -- as she stated -- because the visited family followed rules of Social Distancing and would NOT allow "HER" daughter to "go inside their house, get a drink, go to the bathroom or even play games inside the house" -- when they had this amazing gameroom her daughter "loved to use".

This was just days after our businesses began reopening and people started to "gather" again -- often pushing the limit of common sense which we would see reflected in the upsurge and heightened concern for an even greater loss of life, more hospitalizations and challenges to people below the "norm" poorly interpreted and gathered statistics were providing.

NOTE:  We are now in another upswing with our County recording record high deaths and validated COVID individual infections.

Late at night, kids in tow and these "adults" are encouraging one another and following the lead of one in particular-- who  did  not have children with him -- to GET DRUNK? 

Adults who are LIfetime Teenagers? 

And . . . they criticize other ages believing they "know better" and "do better" than those who went before them? 

Each age group has within it many different types of people; we keep hoping those who "push the limits" will drop in numbers....as did our parents and grandparents.

If they drove, who would drive and what "example" were they setting for their children who would be driving in a few years?

The couple and another person were visiting, friends about to move to another house and possibly helping to get the home ready to "show" as one stated he  was bringing a couple he "wanted to see it and wanted THEM to buy it" -- vocalizing how he "selects" who he wants to buy based on what "he' thinks is "best".

Did we just step back to the 1950's/1960's?

What year is this?  Which generation is that? 

Decades pass, however, behaviors never seem to change . . .  for some.

LIFE AS USUAL is what the MOM felt was her RIGHT and her daughter's. 

THIS is what she's teaching, This is what she's modeling:  

MY RIGHTS are more important than someone else's. 

YOUR RIGHTS ... matter only if I choose to recognize them or "honor" them.

LIFE IS ABOUT CHANGE. Life is not moving from one time to another without negatives along with positives.

In fact, when we "move along" only looking towards the "future BIG events" we often lose sight of the day-to-day SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES THAT CONTINUE, DEVELOP AND GROW.

PEOPLE ARE ASKING . . .

Why we haven't resolved the issues we're seeing

SIMPLE.  We needed to see more clearly and more people had to see the same thing at the same time.

CHANGE IS NOT BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE GOOD TIMES -- IT'S A RESULT OF THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE RECOGNIZED BY ENOUGH NUMBERS OF PEOPLE

NOT ME, NOT MINE . . . It won't happen here....it won't touch "me" or "mine"

-- we're not in the "statistics" of those "getting it" 

-- we don't live in the area where it's most active" or 'It's overblown" or "a conspiracy".

-- lots of people are "getting it" and "get over it"

--...worst case you go to the Doctor, ER or into the hospital where they can take care of those who do get sick and those who die???

well, just was meant to be.... or they did something to bring it on....or.....

SEE NO EVIL, HEAR NO EVIL, SPEAK ... how?

COVID-19 is the biggest and the worst "evil" (even with the wars and other world events) all but a very small part of the population has seen in their lifetime 

How long did it take for the Gen X parents to decide "they" could play with friends -- maybe at a distance but "depriving them" of "socialization" was not in their or the parent's best interests?  But they're not the only ones, parents of elementary school children who see the stats and believe that age group "can't" or "won't" get the "bug" are making play dates.

COVID-19 NEEDS CARRIERS AS WELL AS DISTRIBUTORS and some carriers, for whatever reason we have no current knowledge of, may not show signs of the disease yet provide through their connection with others, transmittal or being a "host" -- believe we will discover this at some future time.

Let's face it -- schools are the natural "dropping point" for at least six to eight hours of adult time -- to work, to exercise, attend meetings, pursue interests or run errands.

When Kindergarten was added to the list of "free" education and then extended through High School -- "we" (women) were given more time and more choices as society became less "home" labor intensive and moving up the ladder meant hiring others or carpooling to "lessen" the "challenges" of keeping the kids "occupied".

THEN CAME SUMMER .... of course it comes every year but parents who "interweave" activities and interests within the school year or can't because of the time or cost or transportation or other reasons could now PLAN TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO CAMP, TO SUMMER SCHOOL OR SUMMER SPORTS  or just to someone else's house to "play" or "be entertained".

Some families, those of better "means" employed services after school or carpooled (that's a word we'll not use for some time) with other families.

Open your eyes and your hearts. Look beyond your "self". And, pray you're not one of those who loses a family member or friend, a child, a teen, adult, young parent, father, mother, grandparent.

WE ARE THE WORLD FOR and WITH ONE ANOTHER.

What are you teaching your children through this time of reflection, relearning and remembering?

Another song whose lyrics we should take to heart ---

"I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way"

Watching the neighborhood children a week ago riding bikes and walking together in groups I wondered where their parents were -- they were sitting in their backyard visiting with guests.

As the tree bends --- is the old saying.

Yes, it's difficult NOT TO HAVE what we want, what we desire, what we're "used to".--

It's called "doing without" and many live this way 24/7....

Surely we can give so that other's live... not get so sick or even die?

We give blood to save lives -- how about giving others the breath of life???

Unsung Heroes On Memorial Day

My Mom was one of those women on the silent front line during WWII in her personal and working life.

Unmarried and needing to support herself, help raise many siblings and giving of her time to anyone who needed help, she was a role model I admire today six years past her passing in 2014, into her 100th year.

WOMEN.  We're beginning to see more women in the forefront of life leading and following -- setting the pace and keeping it moving.  They've always been there; we just didn't acknowledge how critical their service was on the homefront.

She worked at Carter Carburetor, one of the main suppliers that kept the mechanics of war moving, the advancement of our troops into areas to liberate and free those who had been and were continuing to be starved, relocated and killed all in the name of power and control.

Mom was one of that generation's Silent Majority (see the 1960's for more reference to this term) and she sought no recognition, no reward other than to know she was there when she was needed.

Today, I saw on a Sunday program how a past trumpeter and a news specialist are asking anyone who plays the bugle and knows how to play Taps to play at 3 PM tomorrow, Memorial Day.

Yesterday my daughter and I went to Mom's gravesite. She's buried where she chose, in a small rural cemetery along with many of her family members, some from long ago generations -- cousins, friends, many like her who lived, loved and laughed and gave of their time and work and some their lives for others.

We brought peonies and iris from our home -- flowers given to us as small plants many years ago from Mom's oldest sister-- Mom loved to see them bloom each Spring. 

We saw many US Flags placed on graves including my Uncles'. 

I shared, as Mom taught me, placing one flower on each of the graves, acknowledging the women who stood beside these men. 

They were heros carrying on with life and managing households, families and even advancing pregnancies facing unknowns, uncertainties and, like today, not knowing what was happening and most importantly when it would end and how it would end.

I remembered one of Mom's last requests -- to have taps played.  We were told it was "only played" for Veterans.

Mom didn't wear a military uniform but every day from almost dawn to dusk she worked assembling machinery for the front line and formed a part of the supply chain ensuring those who did were supported in ways to move towards Peace and stopping the spread of hatred and abuse.

Isn't Peace and prosperity for all what we strive to create and isn't that a world centered and reason why so many braved the trip across the waters and still today struggle to gain entry into this nation formed as one from many?

Someone in our family did go to play taps for Mom after we left her with those she chose to be with for eternity. I am proud of what he did and proud that Mom, who was as vital to Freedom as those who could go into the direct action, was honored for her choice to serve, how she could, where and when she saw there was a need.

TAPS.  A greeting of farewell. Acknowledgement of sundown that follows the struggles of the day and the courage to face what it brought -- believing in tomorrow.

HONOR. TRIBUTE. COURAGE. Wearing the daily uniforms of life of the times to be recognized and honored for what they did and what they could do for one and for all.

More Than 5,500 Pandemic Deaths Stimulate Investigations Long Term Care -- HALLELUJAH!

Eight years of writing this blog.  

I tried to start a movement but too many were "too busy" with their "lives" to do more than read.

A Pandemic occurs. Long Term Care Deaths at 5,500 -- that's the number we've been told.

It will rise. We still have far too many States that have not "opened wide the doors" to turn these facilities into the medical residences they are supposed to be.

Do Not Turn Away....Do Not Walk Away...Move Into


The Killing Fields I called it and many still turned aside.

Somewhere, somehow, I can only hope, someone took notice and a "movement" began to Keep Our Seniors Safe in Long Term Care.

Many US Citizens family members die today and have died since January 2020 as victims of the system that gives "closed societies", as Long Term Care is, the right to hide from prospective residents, residents, families and friends and the general public adherence to standards of caregiving that would not be tolerated in Hospitals or Child Care Facilities.

Law Revisions. Law additions. 

Accountability.   Open Records. More Transparency.

Reports can be made without disclosing personal information; there are thousands of reports each day given on line, to the governments and to we, the people, that include statistics from which we make choices and decisions.

Long Term Care is not among these.

Long Term Care is a medical level of caregiving.

Who Will Stand Up For Our Seniors? 

Who Will Change Laws and Enforce Them?

The LTC Killing Fields

LTC's, those with a majority of 

Poor things. It's their "time". We just have to accept it.

A few months ago at a Conference on Aging I listened and watched as a presentation on aging spotlighted practices of cultures we see as 

How many LTC's 

2023, AUGUST 23 --- COVID APPEARS TO BE RAISING IT'S HEAD, REACHING OUT ITS ARMS AND WE ARE DOING WHAT ... EXACTLY TO PREPARE

MORE PEOPLE HAVE ENTERED LONG TERM CARE; COMING TO LIGHT ARE THE NUMEROUS CENTERS WITHOUT ADEQUATE CARE GIVING AND VERY LOW STANDARDS REGARDING MEDICAL CARE.

Are we in for another "grave" time when the doors shut tight, the lights are dimmed, the communication is put on "hold"? 

It's three years later. THEY said COVID WAS A THING OF THE PAST, OVER WITH, CONTROLLED.

READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT A VARIABLE  IT'S A LIVING THING THAT 'MORPHS" FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD AND ESPECIALLY WHEN A PART OF THE POPULATION REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE, TO GET VACCINATED, TO RECOGNIZE ITS "POWER".

PLEASE READ, REMEMBER AND PREPARE WISELY . . . 

In the beginning, just a few weeks ago, people were led to believe the Coronovirus was an "old person's" disease. THIS ENTRY WAS ORGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 9, 2020 AT NOON. 

Why? 

Deaths at Long Term Care facilities that were found to be caused by the disease. Then more deaths of older people.

Doesn't that prove it's a "selective disease"?

People who were younger walked around, traveled, thumbed their noses at anyone who suggested they would have any role in this horrible scenerio.

Like the three monkeys, they covered their eyes, ears and mouths because this "old people's" disease wasn't "coming for them" --- 

Yes, it was and is...."when will they ever learn...when will they ever learn"--we're losing flowers everywhere---gone, never to return.

And we continue to not send in the DHSS and trained Medical Professionals to handle the outbreaks in Long Term Care Facilities believing they can "handle" the situtation, they're "private" businesses and the government shouldn't "interfere", perhaps? 

I disagree. They are facilities that receive government "funding" through Medicare and Medicaid and we, the people, are not doing enough to ensure the basic safety, level of medical capability, staffing and so much more and our only and last resort are those Department of Governments, State and Federal who MUST intervene or we will face an even higher toll of loss of loved ones who should not be seen as "expendable".

Until you speak up. 

Until you advocate and stimulate ...

friends, relatives and anyone using your Social Media connectivity 

to voices 

in protest 

to ensure our legacy, our foundation of this amazing country -- 

those who fought and continue to fight, 

those who deserve to be protected and yes, to be saved..

or do we start considering, as AARP does, 50 is a Senior 

    believing it's more the "young" who "deserve" to be "saved"....

It Isn't Age..... That's Causing Deaths...

It's exposure of all ages and stages of life....

to a deadly enemy who moves through the world not checking birth certificates 

Even more "mature" audiences took chances (yes, Gen X), who made decisions that spread the disease and believed they were "immune" and couldn't be affected, couldn't possibly be "carriers" -- a word they would soon learn is true of many who do not show symptoms or test positively.

Since the last serious Pandemic, we created school systems providing FREE education to ages Kindergarten through High School graduation. 

We've Failed .....to teach common sense

We've Failed ... to teach compassion and consideration

When will we listen to the cries of our parents and grandparents 

and raise the curtain on the Long Term Care facilities -- 

who have been 

Operating for Years with Poor Medical Services,  

Less Than Acceptable Levels of Certified Medical Staff in house 24/7 -- people don't get sick or need medical attention from 7am to 5 pm on weekdays -- do you? do your children? 

In my life and on this site, I've been citing statistics, calling emergency numbers for relatives and friends who were residents deprived of medical and other care,deprived of the ability to communicate, deprived of making choices, given basic clean care that included not moving from one bed to another contaminating one person after another failing to really clean their hands.

THE REALITY OF THE  SYSTEM  -- Long Term Care Privately Owned and Not For Profits often payexecutives as though they worked in Corporate America with high six and seven figure salaries, amenities, bonuses and more -- running sometimes into the seven figures -- is doing so at the expense of ensuring most residents spend an aberage of three years and then their "space" is turned over to another.

LET'S REALIZE....when you reduce or eliminate good medical care....things happen as I've reported -- falls, breaks, infections, acceleration of pre-existing conditions and more...

Why isn't there a mandate EVERY Long Term Care especially but all Care Giving Facilities of all levels must provide each resident with access and assist them to connect with family and friends outside of the facilities by computer through face to face connectivity-- visutal means.

A SHOUT OUT TO THE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM....this should be a responsibility of each location in each State but will not be even discussed unless people who read this and people you talk with are told there are far better ways to live in Long Term Care than what we're providing our elderly. 

REMEMBER .... I detailed how my friend Carol died two days before her birthday -- two days before we could visit with her. My daughter and I knew Carol since 2011; this was 2019; 8 YEARS of visiting, taking her places, getting her a tatoo she'd wanted for decades; providing her with clothes, a little money to shop; the brands of toothpaste, liquid body lotion, shampoo, etc and no one connected with us not even when we walked in to "ease the shock" of finding her "gone".

We walked into Carol's room, one she'd shared with a woman who was also ill treated by the facility, to see her empty bed and many of her prized possessions gone or piled nearby.

This is what's going on today it hasn't changed. We're so busy seeing the devastation that's spread so far that we're not seeing what should be seen -- abuse in Long term Care Faciliteis and total disregard for Medical Services while charging what the market will bear to Insurance Companies, Federal and State programs.

If it's to be, it's up to YOU.....I've been speaking up since 2012 publically in this blog and before that in my community through advocating for Seniors.

How many more lives are expendable?

How many more times will we believe "he/she died, he/she was"old", he/she had a "pre-existing condition" -- all may be true but you're not recognizing none of these are actual "reasons" for death, they are ways to excuse poor caregiving, lack of quality medical treatment available and too few people made to do too much in ways they use shortcuts because they "have to".

How many more lives are expendable because we only see what the Media shows us and we can't find our own voices to speak up, speak out and ensure this abuse of our Senior Population CEASES, DESISTS and enforce standards that are what we as Americans believe we should receive at all ages and stages of life.

You are the answer. 

Tell others to read this blog and other entries. 

Take action. Spread the word. 

Go online. Connect with your State and National Congress people

Use Social Media to raise awareness and question what you're told.

Never before have individuals had at their fingertips and held in their hands so powerful a means of communicating, opening doors and windows and shining light on darkness.

Remember...each day you're getting older....how do you want to be treated if you find yourself in LONG TERM CARE or another facility. It could happen any time....

Coronovirus: Choices Now; Penalties Later?

Rotary's motto is "Service Above Self" and it's time more ages and stages of life understood this is not just a saying or a practice it needs to be a way of life.

If ever we were aware we are a part of a world while still being American,European, Missourians, New Yorkers, British, Irish, African etc etc it is NOW.

WHO is aware of others needs and giving not when it's convenient but when it's a challenge -- to the self?

ATTITUDE BEYOND SELF.  Giving of what you have is easy. Giving when it's a stretch, a challenge, it's taking away from what you have and may not get returned -- that is true giving, it is sacrifice.

HOARDERS.  Fear of the unknown, the uncertain, the "I (and often "mine") must survive above all are practices that are harming people unintentionally or not.

STOP BELIEVING THIS IS "NEW" -- it's everyday life for many in the United States and around the world.

While you've stocked your pantries and bought your wine there are those among us in the United States and in many places of the world who are worried about the water they drink and how they'll find food let alone afford it.

NO, IT'S NOT JUST THE OLDER POPULATION.  When you think you can "single out" a group, it can make some/many feel better and it's been done around the globe and brought us to many historical, demeaning and damaging situations -- just like a Pandemic can do.

TRUE, WE'RE NOT IN CONTROL --- OR FALSE, OR WE?

Why does it always require someone to get first hand experience before they can think about "real" possibilities and consequences?

Out for a walk?  Say hello don't just look away. 

COMMUNICATION IS TOP OF THE LIST, EVERYONE.

REALIZE THIS LESSON THROUGH BEING MORE "CONFINED" AND "CONSTRICTED" WHILE THERE'S STILL TIME TO MAKE POSITIVE DECISIONS AND NOT JUST REACTIONS.

We are being told because we do not think about others.

We are being made to do which could rise to even higher levels if we don't "hold imaginary hands" and lead those who are still incapable of thinking beyond themselves to cause even more challenges for those who listen, have learned and understand  -- IT'S NOT ME ---- IT'S WE.

Not In "My" Lifetime -- Pandemic Does Not Compute For Many

My mother was four years old when the last pandemic hit.

She was in a small rural town that wasn't as affected as the major metropolitan areas.

Cities today are experiencing the same crisis as during her lifetime; she passed in her 100th year.

How can we convince the teens and twenty somethings of the seriousness of this situation?

Do they think it's smoke and mirrors or "made up"?

This is not within our control.

This is not hype.

This is not reality TV where someone decides how and what and where and when.

You think your're not included because the virus is currently attacking the most vulnerable?

You may be a carrier and not even know it.

We're too focused on telling the general public it's "not advisable" for an "older" citizen to travel or do many things.

Why? Because our older population confined to spaces like Long Term Care where people like myself have witnessed the poor medical care and cleanliness have taken lives before the Pandemic and now are going to move even faster and more destructive because we do not look, we do not listen and we do not ensure our older population is truly protected

That's how it starts -- getting a foothold into a weakened area and then progressing into the general population.

Viruses are like other life forms, they change (mutate) and gain strength as they grow in number and strength.

Our "enemy" is just getting started.

So you think you're so special you won't get it or by the time it "selects" your age group there will be a cure so no worries?

It's dependent on your turning your back and believing, as many of your age have done before, you're "invincible".

You Are Not.

Turn your back and you will find with so many other crisis, the attacks will come, they will reach you and you will be oblivous to its attacks because you didn't believe it would ever come.....to you.

CBS -- Dive Deeper Into Senior LTC & COVID-19 -- You See The Most Beneath The Surface

CBS  STOP singling out the Washington State facility as if it was "unique". It's not!  

Other facilities have deaths every day and report them as "dying of old age".

Other facilities are possibly not willing or do not have the ability to see the deaths they are experiencing -- which they believe is due to the "time of year' or "weather" or :"age of resident" IS NOT.

Now we have "locked down" facilities but have staff that still moves from one facility to another and who go out into the community moving about with people who may be incubating the virus adding to the pandemic.

ON A DAILY BASIS:

Seniors are required to share rooms even when their roommate is critically ill or sick with a contagious disease. 

Seniors who are atttended by CNA's move from room to room often passing by a "hand sanitizer" that doesn't do the job.

Seniors who are "handled" on a daily basis without the use of gloves moving germs, infections and other problems from bed to bed, room to room.

Many Long Term Care Facilities are in "business" to make a profit.  

Check out the auxiliary services that are owned or operated or where arrangements have been made for significant billing adjustments -- not reported to Medicaid or Insurance coverage.

Let's be real. If you control supply and demand you can sell/provide a product or service at a lower price point and if you get reimbursed, chances are the business still makes a profit beyond the cost and enabling them to build more, larger and more extensive facilities where they can be higher consumers and subject to more and deeper discounts they pass on into their pocke.

Long Term Care Facilities, even Not For Profit, providing their Board Members with payment of their Country Club Dues. This can be seen on their 990's required to be filed. What about the For Profit -- they should also have to file as they provide for the most vulnerable in our society.

Long Term Care Facilities who specifically look for "new" residents on MEDICAID that have few or little ongoing medical care that cannot be managed with drugs and needs more "personalized" hands on assistance.

TIP OF THE ICEBERG....

This is your chance to really discover why the average amount of time a resident lives in a facility is two to three years and why so many Seniors don't want to go, even when they have no other financial choice or relatives who cannot or do not have the time to CareGive.

It's time to do an INVESTGATIVE REPORT on these sequestered incubators of disease and treatment we wouldn't give an animal. 

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS ARE REAL STORIES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

CBS AND OTHERS, STEP UP TO THE PLATE....

I've been writing about these challenges and sharing the problems on this Blog since 2012. 

How many of our valued contributors are now considered expendable?

They created so many opportunities by lighting the way and giving generations benefits they fought so hard to establish.

DO MORE THAN READ. 

TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TO PROTECT AND DEFEND OUR MOST VULNERABLE AMERICANS.

Heroes Among Us Aiding The Senior Population

Listening to the latest information being presented by the Governor of New York, my concerns are growing about the increasing amount of cases and possible need to move people from a hospital bed to another location to make room for others.

Where will they go?  Not all can go home. Many will not have the medical insurance or family members to come in and help them through and to being "healthy" again or may need "secondary care" which in the case of anyone over 60 will most probably be a decision to do "rehab" in a Long Term Care Facility.

Also, as we move through a time of uncertainty when there are closings of businesses, shortages of personal and home supplies:

How can we be certain these facilities are able to provide what this dependent society, residents living in a Long Term Care facility where food, medicine and personal care are necessary really need  . . 

When will we ensure Long Term Care Facilities ARE fully transparent with reports posted on line for all States, at least the total amount generated for the past three years, in plain language without the "jargon" used to hide violations while maintaining the privacy of the individual...

As I've discussed so many times, many of these Long Term Care or Rehab facilities are hotbeds of undisclosed medical challenges and escalating medical problems.

If we do not take this opportunity to speak up, to speak out and to work for reorganization and full accountability to the people who pay into the system, the Taxpayers, and those who are being supported by the system, through vast sums of money going to highly complex enterprises who currently have little responsibility to informing the general public -- 

We will not have learned one of the valuable lessons this challenging event called COVID-19 , Coronovirus, is giving us in bringing to light and to the surface of our society so many challenges in our medical system.

On the positive side, I've heard from some "middle aged" people how they've called Long Term Care Facilities and told them they wanted to remove their loved one, meaning a mother/father/grandparent/friend from the facility and take them into their homes. 

Yes, it's a challenge but generations before us and societies in many countries that have been hardest hit by this emergency situation, have practiced this "caregiving" for generations.  

Kudos to those who step beyond their personal comfort zone to provide caring for others; we should be talking about these on the National and International News because they, too, are the Heroes Among Us.

Yes, it's a challenge adjusting. 
Yes, it can mean more work for family members. 

It can also mean we're returning to being a caring and considerate population where instead of being self-centered, giving when it's "convenient" or brings some form of "reward", we realize it's in the giving we receive.

ADDENDUM: St Louis Ombudsman Sends Info Residents Cannot Return If Leave Facility

CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSPERSON IMMEDIATELY.  I understand the concept behind some of these policies but also know some of them have been in place (limiting leaving a facility and potential return consideration) for decades and believe we need to lift the curtain that has been placed over the realities of Long Term Care and all Residential Care in facilities.

I just received an email from VOYCE, the name for the St Louis Missouri Region of the Ombudsman program.

Ironic it should come after my earlier today Post: Heroes Among Us Aiding The Senior Population and I aplauded those who choose to take their loved ones out of what has been proven to be a potentially dangerous environment.

There's a"threat" that if you remove a loved one from a "hotbed" of potential exposure to a killing virus YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO RETURN to that facility. It's not new, by the way -- it's part of the LTC's way of doing business.

IT'S TIME THIS ABILITY TO "HOLD" OVER YOUR HEAD (and they do contractually) this "threat" of not being able to "go back" is looked at as dangerous to the health and well being of residents and even possibly overlooking actions on the part of staff that could be hazardous to the health of your loved one.

BTW, read carefully the contract you signed; they run a business and many of them are multimillion dollar if not billion dollar multi locations, various names, facilities.

WHEN WE ARE BEING TOLD TO LEAVE OUR OFFICES, NOT GO TO RESTAURANTS, SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED AND WE'RE NOT SURE HOW LONG THESE POLICIES ARE TO BE IN EFFECT....there is an email from AN AUTHORITY in our region, THE OMBUDSMAN organization required by Federal Law stating you can do "other things" to "keep in touch".

Why do they turn this into a "contact" reference instead of a life or death reference -- could it be because they follow the same belief -- "they're old, they're sick, they're going to die anyway....

and instead of providing hope to those who would like to ensure their loved ones have care in a very trying and unprecedented time and are removed from what has already proved in the State of Washington to be a death trap for many residents--a deadly environment -- WE AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE

CHECK TO SEE WHAT YOUR STATE'S POLICY IS RE LONG TERM CARE AND RETURNING AFTER LEAVING....just received notification a resident cannot return if you take them out of a facility.... here's the excerpt from the email just received from Voyce St Louis:

"As Missouri grapples with the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis, protecting long-term care residents has become a top priority. Unfortunately, for the near future, this includes significantly altering policies regarding visitors. Here is what you need to know regarding these temporary restrictions: Can I visit my loved one (friend or family) in an LTC facility? No, unless your loved one is in the advanced stages of hospice care and is actively passing away, visits of any kind from friends, immediate family, spouses, etc. are NOT currently permitted. Emergent hospice visits are permitted on a case-by-case basis and will likely involve strict precautions to reduce potential spread to other residents. INSERTED NOTE:  UNDERSTANDABLE.  It's what everyone is going through. Who can enter an LTC facility? At this time, ONLY facility staff and EMT crew members are permitted to enter an LTC facility. NO visitors, non-emergency personnel, or vendors may enter. INSERTED NOTE:   IT WILL BE BUSINESS AS USUAL....there and many places....1 LPN TO A FLOOR-- that's all that's required --NOT RN, LPN.  And, because Certified Nurses Assistants (the people who do the grunt and let's face it, the "dirty work" in Long Term  Care Facilities-- usually work for minimum wage and usually come from below "middle class" status -- and now might be faced with having their children home from school, a partner or spouse who is "home" from work that doesn't pay if you're not working -- well, probably short staffing as is usual around holidays and other times and that is my concern there will be MORE INACCURATE REPORTING OF CAUSES OF DEATH  because facilities generally work to hide the realities and usually, as we've seen has been the case in Washington State, report the death as OLD AGE or something similar. Can a resident leave the facility? Technically, yes, a resident is permitted to leave. However, the resident will be permitted to return ONLY if the absence was for an urgent medical necessity. Any resident who leaves without urgent medical needs will be considered Against Medical Advice (AMA) and will NOT be permitted back into the residence. Please check with your Administrator for your facility's specific policies. INSERTED NOTE:  A contract was signed. Many do not allow the ability to leave and return. Check yours. Also, isn't it time we stood up against a system that holds the elderly hostage and there is NO ONE VISITING OR SUPERVISING TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY AND WELL BEING.  My Mom's facility still has one LPN per floor -- that's for more than 20 rooms, double occupancy. DO WE REALLY BELIEVE ONE MEDICAL PERSON CAN HANDLE THAT MANY PEOPLE? If physical visits are not possible, how can I stay connected with my loved one? Reducing the negative effects of social isolation during quarantine is incredibly important. While physical meetings with your loved one in LTC are not possible at this time, there are still ways to show love and support. Phone calls are an excellent and safe way to keep in touch. FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp, and other video chatting technologies can help simulate a face-to-face meeting and provide some comfort to both family and resident. As of now, residents may still receive mail. Hand-written letters, greeting cards, and photos can help your loved one feel connected. Further, photos and hand-written notes may help those with dementia retain memory while quarantined.  INSERTED NOTE: Face Time, Skype and What's App require the use of a Computer. My Mother and My Friend who passed and I wrote about the neglect and abuse they both suffered in their facility in this Blog DOES NOT ALLOW RESIDENTS TO USE A FACILITY COMPUTER and very few people of the advanced age of many in Long Term Care, have been given any direction, instruction or have one OR HAVE ANY CONNECTIVITY THROUGH WI FI. Can the Ombudsman Program still advocate for the needs of my loved one in LTC? Yes! Please note that the VOYCE office is closed and Ombudsmen will not be making regular visits. However, Regional Ombudsmen can be reached via email or phone to discuss your care needs during this uncertain time. INSERTED NOTE:  False, misleading and deceptive information with the statement VOYCE/the Ombudsman Office in the St Louis Missouri Region makes "regular visits". Here's what they continue to "say" they provide and how many "volunteers" they have: "In addition to guiding individuals and families as they navigate the complexity of long-term care, VOYCE speaks up for thousands of individuals in St. Louis and beyond already living in long-term care settings. Today, VOYCE provides services to nearly 22,000 individuals residing in more than 370 skilled nursing, assisted living and residential care communities. More than 50% of these individuals have no one other than VOYCE to advocate on their behalf.  "Assuring residents’ rights and the right to quality care is the purpose of VOYCE’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. Staff and 50 volunteer ombudsmen are trained to identify issues, isolate particular causes of concern and skillfully resolve any challenges with compassion and respect for those living in a long-term care community. " REALITY CHECK:  Do the math and distance covered and you'll find it's impossible for 1 "volunteer" to visit their "share" of the pie of eldercare concern in Long Term Care facilities -- the logistics for the broad range of territory also makes it impossible.  Example:  370 skilled nursing facilities; 50 volunteers; approx 22,000 residents = 440 people per volunteer FOR JUST ONE "GET ACQUAINTED" VISIT let alone more than one visit to actually accomplish resolution of a challenge brought to their attention. ON THE WEBSITE IS STATED:  "Annually, the agency serves approximately 5,000 long-term care residents and responds to approximately 1,000 individuals and caregivers who need long-term options and services." MATH AGAIN:  370 facilities                                50 volunteers                             5,000 LTC residents served annually   MATH ANALYSIS:  5,000 residents  50 volunteers    1,000 per???  Last time I checked there were 52 weeks in a year and 365 (except for Leap Year) days in a year. Since there are many Not For Profits (which Ombudsman/Voyce is also) that work to assist the general public re "long-term options and services" I see more of a need to VISIT AND TALK WITH ON A REGULAR BASIS residents of LTC's so that there is  (1) A Presence of a Governmental Authority with the capability and the       responsibility to MONITOR AND REVIEW facilities including but not        limited to those that are brought to their attention More Math: With 50 volunteers each one would have as a "responsibility" of 440 potential people. These are not daily workers; they are not compensated; most do not "work" regularly; volunteers  have no authority and everything has to go back to the "paid professionals" of which there are 9. NINE PAID STAFF. HEFTY OVERHEAD. No wonder they're always fund raising and accept donations from the very people they are supposed to be monitoring.  ISN'T THERE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT ALLOW THIS AS IT SEEMS TO BE A    CONFLICT OF INTEREST Or perhaps I should say a statement that is INACCURACT, FALSE, MISLEADING AND DECEPTIVE as the organization PRIMARILY USES VOLUNTEERS Please reach out to VOYCE if you have any questions about resident rights duringthis time! Our staff can be reached at 314-918-8222 or toll free at 866-918-8222.

"Can a resident leave the facility? Technically, yes, a resident is permitted to leave. However, the resident will be permitted to return ONLY if the absence was for an urgent medical necessity. Any resident who leaves without urgent medical needs will be considered Against Medical Advice (AMA) and will NOT be permitted back into the res Please check with your Administrator for your facility's specific policies.

This is a National Emergency and it appears VOYCE, the name for the St Louis Missouri Area Ombudsman organization, which it also announced in a just received email, is CLOSED AND NOT VISITING LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES which will probably result in more deaths in Long Term Care facilities.

I understand the need to "quarantine" the facilities however they do not have adequate medical personnel on site and this may mean no doctors are going to be personally visiting the facility AND YOU CANNOT TAKE YOUR LOVED ONE TO BE CHECKED FOR THE VIRUS and are relying upon a system that has proven to be failing our elderly population.


WHAT DOCTORS ARE VISITING?  WHAT ACTUAL MEDICAL CARE IS BEING PROVIDED EXCEPT FOR THAT OF AN LPN (Nothing against this level of medical assistance but there's usually only one on a floor of more than twenty double room occupancy or more.

THIS IS A NATIONAL EMERGENCY AND IT APPEARS VOYCE, ST LOUIS LONG TERM CARE, IS CLOSING DOWN LOCALLY -- written in the same email:

1. Can the Ombudsman Program still advocate for the needs of my loved one in LTC? Yes! Please note that the VOYCE office is closed and Ombudsmen will not be making regular visits. However, Regional Ombudsmen can be reached via email or phone to discuss your care needs during this uncertain time.

TIME WILL TELL THE REAL STORY and I believe it will be heartwrenching.