Paula Poirier | Support HB1179

Having spent a good part of the past 8 years caring for a loved one in a Nursing Home I can say without doubt that the "lack" of help and the non "rule" regarding a ratio is a dangerous and all around careless practice. When I starting going to the Nursing Home 8 years ago the staff on the floor consisted of 4 LNA's and 2 Medcart employees. After COVID hit upon returning to daily visits it became clear that the new NORMAL was 2 LNA's and 1 Medcart employees. We have cut the staffing in half and expect the same level of care. There is just not nearly enough time for the staff to complete adequate care for there very deserving residents. Due to a lack of help our residents are left with less then good care. I have always supported the LNA's because for the most part it is the lack of time and not the lack of effort that prevents good care. We need to hold Nursing Homes to higher standards by requiring better staff ratios. There is no price for providing care for residents that deserve better then what they are getting. Making some rules to the number of staff required would greatly help with the current problems that we are seeing in Nursing Homes.