Have a new owner of an assisted living in our town...(near Indianapolis) doing the same thing.
Tried to evict. At least these folks are standing up for their elderly. Not one person in this town, leaders so to speak, have done so. These little retired folks hired a lawyer. Sad Sad sad....

This was originally a "church owned" facility that got in trouble with the SEC. Nope the church did not stand up to this new owner either.

I applaud these people. They have their priorities straight! We all have to remember it could be us some day and treat all elderly as if they were our own parents.

This is not meant as a defense of this Assisted Living Concepts---I hope those people are "assisted" into another line of work. But you might like to know that the reason Illinois passed the law referenced in your post was that the state is chronically late and short with Medicaid payments, to the point where it became almost an act of charity for a doctor or nursing home to accept Medicaid patients.

This is because, when it comes to putting together a state budget, the governor and legislature do their yearly impression of a bunch of 4-year-olds in a sandbox fighting over the pail and shovel. Medicaid recipients, who are almost universally poor and without clout, routinely go to the back of the line.

Well, it's about time. Our nation's elderly have had it far too easy for far too long.

Let's let the invisible hand of the free market solve this problem the way it magically solves every other problem.

These people need homes? Well, I seem to remember something about a slump in the housing market! Sounds like a great opportunity to me. And if they don't have the income right now, we'll hook them up with some nice sub-prime introductory mortgages. They can refinance when they pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

Government handouts create dependency. How will these people ever learn the value of the dollar and a hard day's work if we just keep giving them everything?

Besides, I'll bet they're mostly illegal aliens anyway.

In defense of the nursing home, the way many elderly people end up staying in these homes is by signing a contract that states that they will pay for their care out of their own pockets and when their personal funds run out they demand that the home beging to accept Medicare or Medicaid payments in lieu of the amount they contracted to pay the home. The home is put in the very awkward position of either deciding to kick the resident out for a violation of the residency agreement, or allowing them to stay in the home and accept the Medicare/Medicaid payment that is offered to them. If they kick them out that will create ill will for the home and would not exactly foster an environment that people will see desireable when searching for a nursing home. If they do not sue they are in a position of losing money as Medicare and Medicaid simply do not pay the market rate for these services.

Bitter Scribe @ 4:

This is not meant as a defense of this Assisted Living Concepts---I hope those people are "assisted" into another line of work. But you might like to know that the reason Illinois passed the law referenced in your post was that the state is chronically late and short with Medicaid payments, to the point where it became almost an act of charity for a doctor or nursing home to accept Medicaid patients.

This is because, when it comes to putting together a state budget, the governor and legislature do their yearly impression of a bunch of 4-year-olds in a sandbox fighting over the pail and shovel. Medicaid recipients, who are almost universally poor and without clout, routinely go to the back of the line.

Understand, and situation in Illinois is not that different than other parts of the country.
Before everyone gets their hackles up, I suggest you click on the "Act Against Eviction"
lead-in and then click on the rather explanatory article under the "Peninsula Daily News"
as provided in the article. Tho circumstance is saddening, it seems as if the facility
is within the law had given the residences notice beforehand and is in fact giving residences
notice that effective February l, 2008. all Medicare receiptants will have to likewise move.

The Victoria House management company is about to experience a pr nightmare.

The villain here is NOT the nursing home. It's the chaos that is our "health care" system.

This seems to be the last step before just lining them all up and shooting them. Got gun?

The measurement of greatness in a country, culture or society is how humanely it treats its elderly citizens, especially those who are poor.

It has become sadly obvious that we in this country have failed so miserably when it comes to caring for those who are most vulnerable.

We have billions upon billions of dollars for bullets & bombs to kill people, but no funds available for the old folk.

Its FUBAR.

carol @ 16:

This seems to be the last step before just lining them all up and shooting them. Got gun?

Or, if there were still islands of ice in Alaska or the Artic, they could be sent up yonder
to live out their remaining years(days/hours)

You DO realize that this isn't the fault of Victoria House, don't you? It CAN'T keep the Medicare patients. It can't afford to. Victoria House is just another one of the victims of our health care system.

Unless of course it CAN keep its doors open and its operations running with the reimbursements it gets from its Medicare patients.

It would be really helpful to learn which of these scenarios we have here.

Mike Says:
If they do not sue they are in a position of losing money as Medicare and Medicaid simply do not pay the market rate for these services.

It's even worse than that. By demanding that the government welfare state pay for their stay, they take assisted living units off the market that could actually be put to better use by young, able-bodied workers.

I, for example, have a high stress job that involves long hours. How much would I be willing to pay to come home to a made bed, prepared food and medications on tap? A lot more than Medicare, that's for sure.

But I'm cut out of the market because of all these "regulations" that say I have to have a "manifest medical need." This is pure government-supported discrimination. It's ageism and it unfairly excludes people just because they're healthy.

But instead, what happens? I work hard all day and when I come home, I have to make my own meals, clean my own house and, just to add insult to injury, I actually have to pay taxes so these leaches can live high on the hog.

I ask you, is that fair?

Make that $8.5 million bond...

Reminds me of good ol' Governor Reagan....

Just in time for Xmas too! Charles Dickens would have been inspired I'm sure.

Capitalism at its' worst -- God Bless Walmart for showing The Way.

Linda @ 22:

You DO realize that this isn't the fault of Victoria House, don't you? It CAN'T keep the Medicare patients. It can't afford to. Victoria House is just another one of the victims of our health care system.

Unless of course it CAN keep its doors open and its operations running with the reimbursements it gets from its Medicare patients.

It would be really helpful to learn which of these scenarios we have here.

It's the former....and elderly, in many instances, are needing more than "assisted living"
since medical conditions/age require NURSING care and the care takers at the Victoria
House are NOT trained or qualified or certified as nurses..and the reimbursement by
Medicare/Medicaid is not sufficient to cover the cost of care needed.

Bitter Scribe @ 4:

This is not meant as a defense of this Assisted Living Concepts---I hope those people are "assisted" into another line of work. But you might like to know that the reason Illinois passed the law referenced in your post was that the state is chronically late and short with Medicaid payments, to the point where it became almost an act of charity for a doctor or nursing home to accept Medicaid patients.

This is because, when it comes to putting together a state budget, the governor and legislature do their yearly impression of a bunch of 4-year-olds in a sandbox fighting over the pail and shovel. Medicaid recipients, who are almost universally poor and without clout, routinely go to the back of the line.

Medicaid is supplemented by the Federal Government and just like all of the promises made by the coward Bush, payment of Medicaid is pushed to the back burner because coward Dick Cheney and coward George Bush need their "war money" and this is their priority, not Medicaid supplemental payments.

Marc @ 11:

Where is the respect for our elders? It is sorely lacking in our culture.

Marc - you are so right about this. Other cultures respect their elders and care for their elders. We have a throw away culture and our elderly are not much more than another throw away. It's all about youth and beauty.

JasonS @ 35:

What about all the diseases these old people will spread into the general population if we release them? Has no one thought of that?

Put them on a boat, at least.

Surely you jest...."They" are not going to be released into the general population...The
State Dept. of Health is securing other elder care facilities for them when moved.

Coffins draped in flags Says:
Life sucks and then you die.

Don't tell me, let me guess. Democrat?

JasonS - don't tell me, let me guess... torture, death, deficit and profit loving Republican? Right?

JasonS @ 40:

Coffins draped in flags Says:
Life sucks and then you die.

Don't tell me, let me guess. Democrat?

Let ME guess.....so now that they're old and have stopped contributing to society....you think they're leaches?....so don't tell me...let me guess.......Facist?

Doggiebobo @ 15:

CD @ 12:

The Victoria House management company is about to experience a pr nightmare.

Yes, even tho their actions are within the law.

I agree.

Just because what they did is technically legal doesn't mean people will ever again allow their loved ones to move into VHM's crap shacks.

JasonS @ 43:

Doggiebobo Says:
The State Dept. of Health is securing other elder care facilities for them when moved.

Securing? Or nationalizing? Will we be getting a list of these facilities? Those of us who have worked hard to warehouse our parents in respectable facilities deserve some warning if the riffraff are going to be spreading their filth around.

I pay good money and the last thing I need to hear is my mom whining about her living situation. That poor woman has suffered enough...or so I'm told.

Actually, if one was to read the news reports contained in the Article quote above, one
would learn that the State Health and Human Resources Dept's. have already contacted
and made arrangements for those being displaced to moving into other certified elder care
facilities. I appreciate and laughed out loud at your humor as to your poor Mom having
had suffered enough already...which I'm sure was a direct reference to you...

I'll bet Jason resents paying any taxes for the Veterans Administration too...hell...they're old,and have stopped contributing as well...it's a waste of money..right Jason.

Coffins draped in flags @ 45:

JasonS - guess you are probably hoping that you don't live long enough to get old. As I said, life sucks and then you die. And as long as you continue to whine about money, life will continue to suck for you.

Yeah, me and Pete Townsend. Seems to me, though, that these old folks are the ones who should be worried about whining about money.

I'm still young and have plenty of time to whine about all kinds of things. But the clock is ticking for these folks.

If you can't afford your home, move. This is America. In God we trust, all others pay cash.

caste system alive and well in 'merica

It is not unusual for those in the "service industry" to target the clients. It's easy to scapegoat. When money runs out, repairs aren't done. Housing authority will threaten to shut off funds unless repairs are made. Who gets hurt? The residents.

With subsidies, tenant payments are lower; the landlord gets the full market value with a government payment. However, once those funds are cut, the landlord expects the tenant to make up the lost subsidies; but tenants can't cover all the rents. When Housing authority is directed to ensure safe housing, the tenants often end up in the street.

A solution would be for the court to take over the properly; and put some timelines/deadlines on the property owner to bring the properly up to code. If the property does not meet the standard, the munipality would take over the properly, and then sell the properly on the open market to the highest bidder. The stipulation would be that the tenants would continue to stay in their properly, and that the new owners would be property managers.

As far as this situation goes with the medical costs, what's needed is a market solution: If doctors, in exchange for a set client pool, were to be given a financial interest in future insurance payments, then they might be willing to work probono.

What if medicare were something that could be willed as a financial interest to pay full costs after someone has died?

What if there were a way to have a "present value" system of future payments; then provide that lump sum to a doctor, in exchange for that doctor agreeing to provide life-time medical services for the patient?

What if Medical students working on the medical degree were allowed to perform -- under supervison by a trained/licensed doctor on the university medical staff -- hours for their residency in providing medical assistance to the poor?

Here is my question to those who find it an outrage that our elders are not getting quality care. Where are the old people in your family or tribe? Do you have them living with you? Do you do more than visit on holidays? I am all for Medicare but it does shock me how few Americans will put their money were their mouth is when it comes to family values and provide the original "assisted living" arrangements... IN THEIR OWN HOMES. Our elders are our family and should be with us not shelved away. Public funded assisted living is the last resort...NOT the first and only option. But this would mean less TV watching and pot smoking and more making dinners and feeding people who might not always smell good. It would also mean we would be training the next generation to take better care of us when we age… should we all be so lucky to live long.

I see the protestors on this and I am reminded of those at abortion clinics raging against women who have abortions but voting against funding those babies should they live or be willing to adopt them or stop making fun of single women with children. There is no difference...these same people protesting the eviction of these elders most likely have no elderly living with them or near them that they take care of. Us progressives can be just as hypocritical as the extreme right.

JasonS @ 6:

Well, it's about time. Our nation's elderly have had it far too easy for far too long.

Let's let the invisible hand of the free market solve this problem the way it magically solves every other problem.

These people need homes? Well, I seem to remember something about a slump in the housing market! Sounds like a great opportunity to me. And if they don't have the income right now, we'll hook them up with some nice sub-prime introductory mortgages. They can refinance when they pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

Government handouts create dependency. How will these people ever learn the value of the dollar and a hard day's work if we just keep giving them everything?

Besides, I'll bet they're mostly illegal aliens anyway.

JasonS @ 6:

Well, it's about time. Our nation's elderly have had it far too easy for far too long.

Let's let the invisible hand of the free market solve this problem the way it magically solves every other problem.

These people need homes? Well, I seem to remember something about a slump in the housing market! Sounds like a great opportunity to me. And if they don't have the income right now, we'll hook them up with some nice sub-prime introductory mortgages.

They can refinance when they pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

Jason Jason....These people did and do have homes. In the case of here in Indiana they paid thousands for their homes. The new owner is simply trying to scare them and take advantage of them, get them out and resell at a profit.

ernment handouts create dependency. How will these people ever learn the value of the dollar and a hard day's work if we just keep giving them everything?

Besides, I'll bet they're mostly illegal aliens anyway.

Another Smokescreen @ 56:

It is not unusual for those in the "service industry" to target the clients. It's easy to scapegoat. When money runs out, repairs aren't done. Housing authority will threaten to shut off funds unless repairs are made. Who gets hurt? The residents.

With subsidies, tenant payments are lower; the landlord gets the full market value with a government payment. However, once those funds are cut, the landlord expects the tenant to make up the lost subsidies; but tenants can't cover all the rents. When Housing authority is directed to ensure safe housing, the tenants often end up in the street.(IN THIS SITUATION, IT NOT 'SAFE HOUSING" THAT IS INVOLVED...IT IS THE NEEDED/REQUIRED
CARE(CERTIFIED/REGISTERED NURSES) WHO ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT "ASSISTED LIVING"
FACILITIES. AS THE ELDERLY AGE, THEIR NEEDS INCREASE(MEDICAL ATTENTION DAILY)
AND WHEN LIVING AS AN "INDEPENDENT" OR "ASSISTED LIVING" RESIDENT, THOSE KINDS
OF SERVICES ARE NOT NEEDED UNTIL ONE BECOMES IN NEED OF SKILLED NURSING CARE.)

A solution would be for the court to take over the properly; and put some timelines/deadlines on the property owner to bring the properly up to code. If the property does not meet the standard, the munipality would take over the properly, and then sell the properly on the open market to the highest bidder. The stipulation would be that the tenants would continue to stay in their properly, and that the new owners would be property managers.( AGAIN, THE OWNERSHIP OF A FACILITY IS NOT THE ISSUE; BUT IT
IS THE "SKILLED CARE" NEEDED FOR THE ELDERLY..JUST PERMITTING A PERSON TO "STAY"
IN A FACILITY IS NOT THE ISSUE).

As far as this situation goes with the medical costs, what's needed is a market solution: If doctors, in exchange for a set client pool, were to be given a financial interest in future insurance payments, then they might be willing to work probono.(THIS IS ALREADY BEING
DONE; AT LEAST, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, HERE IN A NUMBER OF RETIREMENT CENTERS IN
AUSTIN, TEXAS..WITH DOCTORS GOING TO FACILITIES TWO OR THREE TIMES WEEKLY
AND PROBONO, CHECKING THE RESIDENTS)

What if medicare were something that could be willed as a financial interest to pay full costs after someone has died?(ONCE A PERSON, WHO IS UNDER EITHER MEDICARE OR MEDICAID
DIES, ALL BENEFITS CEASE IMMEDIATELY ON DATE OF DEATH, SO THERE IS NOTHING TO
"WILL" FOR THE FUTURE.)

What if there were a way to have a "present value" system of future payments; then provide that lump sum to a doctor, in exchange for that doctor agreeing to provide life-time medical services for the patient?(SOUNDS LIKE AN ACTUARY TALKING...SOUNDS GOOD, BUT
NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE SINCE THEIR IS NO WAY THAT GOV. WILL ADVANCE
OR MAKE LUMP SUM PAYMENTS FOR FUTURE, UNKNOWN, CONTINGENCIES.)

What if Medical students working on the medical degree were allowed to perform -- under supervison by a trained/licensed doctor on the university medical staff -- hours for their residency in providing medical assistance to the poor?

(THIS TOO, ON A SOLELY VOLUNTARY BASIS, IS BEING DONE AT SOME RETIREMENT CENTERS.)

MY COMMENTS IF CAPS ABOVE...

Sue says:
Jason Jason….These people did and do have homes. In the case of here in Indiana they paid thousands for their homes. The new owner is simply trying to scare them and take advantage of them, get them out and resell at a profit.

Sounds to me like the residents are trying to take advantage of the owner by paying less than what his property is worth. Why isn't THAT considered greed?

Eisanna_Eiger says:

I see the protestors on this and I am reminded of those at abortion clinics raging against women who have abortions but voting against funding those babies should they live or be willing to adopt them or stop making fun of single women with children.

The difference is that fetuses are INNOCENT. A fetus can't just move out of a woman's womb on his own.

Once a baby is old enough to reach for a tit, he's hold enough to take care of himself. Or, at least, old enough not to expect me to take care of him.

But this would mean less TV watching and pot smoking and more making dinners and feeding people who might not always smell good.

Hey, if I'm gonna be feeding people who don't smell good, I'm going to need something a lot stronger than pot.

Eisanna Eiger @ 58:

Here is my question to those who find it an outrage that our elders are not getting quality care. Where are the old people in your family or tribe? Do you have them living with you? Do you do more than visit on holidays? I am all for Medicare but it does shock me how few Americans will put their money were their mouth is when it comes to family values and provide the original "assisted living" arrangements... IN THEIR OWN HOMES. Our elders are our family and should be with us not shelved away. Public funded assisted living is the last resort...NOT the first and only option. But this would mean less TV watching and pot smoking and more making dinners and feeding people who might not always smell good. It would also mean we would be training the next generation to take better care of us when we age… should we all be so lucky to live long.

I see the protestors on this and I am reminded of those at abortion clinics raging against women who have abortions but voting against funding those babies should they live or be willing to adopt them or stop making fun of single women with children. There is no difference...these same people protesting the eviction of these elders most likely have no elderly living with them or near them that they take care of. Us progressives can be just as hypocritical as the extreme right.

This post is absolute bullshit. You don't know unless you live it. I want to just say fuck you you piece of scum rot in hell but that would be baiting (which you are doing). Try taking care of a parent with something like...ummm...let's say Alzheimer's. Which chances are most of these people in this home are suffering from. Any doctor will and do tell you that their best place is in a home regardless of how you can pay for it. The Average person is not trained to take care of a family member in such a condition. I took care of my mother for 4 years and it turned out that I may have done more harm by trying to prevent her from going into a nursing him. I promised her while she was still lucid that it would never happen. Regardless of your politics (I have a hard time believing your claim of being a progressive after that post) but you are clueless. A nursing home is not a place where we throw away people because we just don't have the time for them. It is a place where people are cared for because others just don't have the means, the knowledge or education to do it. You're post suggest that all old folks in a home are there because people like myself just don't care. Nothing can be further from the truth. I did what I could for a parent until I was told I can't do enough that would help her. Sean Hannity and the other "socialized" scammers are missing you, go back to their blogs you heartless piece of..........................................................

mudshark @ 57:

#53....still think he's "going all Colbert on us"?

Look, all I'm saying is that we're at war and in a time of war we have to make sacrifices.

Who better to make sacrifices than the elderly? They've already lived most of their lives. Why should it fall disproportionately on the young?

Besides, plenty of elderly people, even elderly and infirm, make very, very positive contributions to our country. Donald Rumsfeld, for example. Dick Cheney is another. Why can't our nation's elderly follow their shining example?

I also think we're being naive about the security risk these people represent. Aside from the aforementioned mysterious diseases they all seem to have, ask yourself, who would make the best suicide bomber? A young person with everything to live for? Or an old, twisted, embittered woman whose only pleasure in life seems to be draining her son's bank account?

Greg Says:
Try taking care of a parent with something like…ummm…let’s say Alzheimer’s.

To be fair, Greg, I don't think EE was talking about Alzheimer's. Obviously, there's no point in wasting resources taking care of people who don't even remember what freedom and democracy are when other people are fighting and dying for those principles.

It's insulting to the troops to suggest otherwise.

It's just Sicko.

Greg @ 66:

Eisanna Eiger @ 58:

Here is my question to those who find it an outrage that our elders are not getting quality care. Where are the old people in your family or tribe? Do you have them living with you? Do you do more than visit on holidays? I am all for Medicare but it does shock me how few Americans will put their money were their mouth is when it comes to family values and provide the original "assisted living" arrangements... IN THEIR OWN HOMES. Our elders are our family and should be with us not shelved away. Public funded assisted living is the last resort...NOT the first and only option. But this would mean less TV watching and pot smoking and more making dinners and feeding people who might not always smell good. It would also mean we would be training the next generation to take better care of us when we age… should we all be so lucky to live long.

I see the protestors on this and I am reminded of those at abortion clinics raging against women who have abortions but voting against funding those babies should they live or be willing to adopt them or stop making fun of single women with children. There is no difference...these same people protesting the eviction of these elders most likely have no elderly living with them or near them that they take care of. Us progressives can be just as hypocritical as the extreme right.

This post is absolute bullshit. You don't know unless you live it. I want to just say fuck you you piece of scum rot in hell but that would be baiting (which you are doing). Try taking care of a parent with something like...ummm...let's say Alzheimer's. Which chances are most of these people in this home are suffering from. Any doctor will and do tell you that their best place is in a home regardless of how you can pay for it. The Average person is not trained to take care of a family member in such a condition. I took care of my mother for 4 years and it turned out that I may have done more harm by trying to prevent her from going into a nursing him. I promised her while she was still lucid that it would never happen. Regardless of your politics (I have a hard time believing your claim of being a progressive after that post) but you are clueless. A nursing home is not a place where we throw away people because we just don't have the time for them. It is a place where people are cared for because others just don't have the means, the knowledge or education to do it. You're post suggest that all old folks in a home are there because people like myself just don't care. Nothing can be further from the truth. I did what I could for a parent until I was told I can't do enough that would help her. Sean Hannity and the other "socialized" scammers are missing you, go back to their blogs you heartless piece of..........................................................

Dude chillout.. what is with the combination of poor reading skills and nasty name calling.. how do you plan for that to attract anyone to your viewpoint? But you are in luck I am a tough chick and I am not insulted by you. I will even spend some time correcting you;) I live in San Francisco and I am politically active here...it is normal for crankypants like O'Reilly to question my politics and patriotism and for Limbaugh to use uncivil language towards progressives like me...but one of my own? Dude..really?

I never said nor implied that everyone had to take care of their elders no matter what. Most can, but not all. Like I said " I am all for Medicare" and "I see publicly funded assisted living as a last resort". In your case it is to be used because the situation is too much for the family to handle alone.

The topic is "Assisted Living" not Geriatric Hospital or Hospice. Assisted Living is a nice condo community with some nursing care, games and people to take residents out on trips act...like a family can and should be doing. What you describe about your mother is when she needed hospital care you gave it to her. I agree with you and I also want to see for those that can't afford it that hospital care it is their right to have.

Now if a person has no family who can be providing even assisted living then I am all for my tax dollars going towards their care.

My point is that we need to really stay in touch with our words matching our actions…least we become hypocrites.

It took me about 3 minutes to find the CEO's name and email address and write her.
Laurie Bebo
quality@alcco.com

Edwin, hope you don't have a stroke and are left without use of your body or faculties. Because your stash won't be any good to you then. That's a very simpleminded solution to a complex subject

Sue Says:
Jason I know now you are just playing for comments…

What gave it away? The suicide bomber thing? I thought that might be over the top.

OH P.S. Greg... as a person (me) who has worked in various half way homes and assisted living places with mostly Medicare and SSI patients (and taken care of those in my family)... many Amercians do throw away their developmentally challenged, mentally ill and elderly. 90% of the folks I took care of (over a thousand of all ages) did not have anyone even visiting them once a year... no phone calls no mails nothing. They literally handed them over to the state to be wherehoused. Some hid their families assets so they could still inherit, and sent the folks to the nursery home for the state to take care of.

I am happy there are funds to hire people to take care of them. We do collect and use taxes to help our disabled so we are on the right path. BUT it is noteable that many of us do not actually touch the elderly in our lives. To me it says we have half a goodwill when it comes to the money part...and very little when it comes to the human part. So the latter is what I am pointing out... just throwing more money at this problem or calling each other names on a blogsite does not makes us better at really healing our demented Amercian culture when it comes to family. ...and when I say family I truly mean all forms of it not just the Christian Hetro model.

George (~Bush) @ 79:

Eisanna Eiger @ 58:

Here is my question to those who find it an outrage that our elders are not getting quality care. Where are the old people in your family or tribe? Do you have them living with you? Do you do more than visit on holidays? I am all for Medicare but it does shock me how few Americans will put their money were their mouth is when it comes to family values and provide the original "assisted living" arrangements... IN THEIR OWN HOMES. Our elders are our family and should be with us not shelved away. Public funded assisted living is the last resort...NOT the first and only option. But this would mean less TV watching and pot smoking and more making dinners and feeding people who might not always smell good. It would also mean we would be training the next generation to take better care of us when we age… should we all be so lucky to live long.

Not a lot of people have the skills to do the kind of nursing that is necessary now that people survive the diseases that used to kill them off. Have you ever tried to turn someone over in bed to change a bedpan? I tried to help the nurse once with my Grandfather who was then very reduced -- I threw out my back. You have people who need daily I.V.s, people who are not mentally compentent enough to be left alone, people who refuse to eat, etc. By the way, if you fail at taking care of your elder properly, look forward to a long jail sentence for elder abuse. When your parents are young it is fun to criticize the others who do the wrong thing, but just wait...

My parents are not young. One of them is dead. I have changed bedpans. Can no one read here? I never said nor implied that everyone HAD to take care of their parents NO MATTER WHAT the circumstances are. How do we as Progressives expecting to change people's minds to our way of thinking through comments on blogs if we can't even take the time to communicate (read, listen and write and talk) with each other accurately?

Why kick them out, or abandon them? Rely on Pharma . . . just kill 'em with inappropriate medications. See the story on Pharmalot titled Antipsychotics, Nursing Homes & Increased Risks @ http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/11/antipsychotics-nursing-homes-expendable...

Oops sorry Coffins I screwed up the quotes.. the first 2 stanses are yours .. mine is the last one starting with Right On!

indrasnet @ 87:

JasonS @ 71:

indrasnet Says:
Sorry to up
set your apple cart, but I intend to do no such thing. I have worked hard all my life (still am working), have paid my taxes, have earned a bit of leisure time before I die

And who will be paying for this leisure time?

If you are expecting me to give you a definitive answer to your question, it would be wise to remind yourself that there are no assurances for anything (I'm assuming you're old enough to know this elementary truth by now); so it's impossible to cast any answer in concrete (without writing an entire essay) or to prognosticate my own future. And I didn't say I'll necessarily be able to afford leisure time...but I can say that I have earned it and have done what I can to realize it. For all I know, if I'm lucky enough to live long enough to retire, universal health care could be a reality by then, which would remove part of the major concerns facing all of us. (I'm not counting on it, but not discounting the possibiliity either...I don't close doors until I'm sure everyone who wishes to enter has done so.)

As to "paying" for leisure time, it seems you are focusing on quantity not quality, and worth seen in economic terms only. My idea of leisure time may not be the same as most people's: I don't need to spend a lot of money on travel, toys, gadgets, gourmet outings, etc. My leisure time consists mainly of continued education, stimulating conversation, creative writing, art, reading, classic movies on DVD, etc...not necessarily things which cost a great deal of money. There are some benefits in learning to value simplicity and trying to live within your means.

And when all else fails, learning to live in the moment and appreciate the ride...

how do you stand on masturbation as a passtime for boredom?

Capitalism works great for corporations and those who own them. Not too great for the rest of us who make those corporations and their owners rich by working all our lives at a steadily decreasing wage. If they can't make money off us when we are working they will make money off us when we retire. If they can't make money off us when we retire we may as well die (in which case they will make a bit more for the funeral services.)

Under capitalism we are a resource to be used, exploited and dispossed of (properly, if possible.)

I always like to blame things on Bush and this is no exception. It is this administration that cut funds to the states for Medicaid funding. The reimbursement to hospitals and doctors is so low it doesn't even cover costs. Caring for a Medicaid patient means the hospital or doctor is going to lose money. It's that simple. And if they see too many Medicaid patients they will go out of business.

It's going to take decades to recover from the damange of 6 years of republican, no holds barred, lawmaking. They have ignored the people, to the benefit of corporate America.

This is the future of America.

Those who can contribute to the economy will be allowed to survive.

Those who can't make someone money, i.e. children, the elderly, the mentally or physically disabled, veterans, will be evicted and left homeless.

It's the only possible outcome of a purely capitalistic society.

Because social programs are money-losers, not money-makers. At least for the wealthy. Society as a whole has much to gain from social programs, but it first has to recognize that those programs are valuable. But in a society where there is no value in life or community, where life is purely based on profit and the ability to make it for someone, people most certainly will suffer.

It's great living in pre-Soylent Green America isn't it?

If they were really, really good parents and elders... they'd be living with their families. As it is now, with this rotten mucked up world, maybe thats what they deserve for leaving their grandchildren a rotten, f^^^ed up world. What goes around, comes around silly sentiments (like 90% above) aside. Ya get what you give. My mother is moving in, in February because she's too old to work anymore and doesn't have the income to supporter herself alone. She will be a great kidsitter/homeschool companion.

Lance Says:
As it is now, with this rotten mucked up world, maybe thats what they deserve for leaving their grandchildren a rotten, f^^^ed up world.

Excuse me, but the last several generations have done more to improve the quality of life on Earth than any others in history.

By all measurable means, especially for those of us in North America, we are living in the least violent, healthiest, happiest, best-informed period in human history and we owe that to our forebears.

Steven Pinker has numbers on this: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/163

The odds of a human dying at the hands of another human have never been lower. The life expectancy has never been higher.

Women can vote.

Africans are not property.

Homosexuals can acknowledge their relationships and will hopefully soon be granted full equality.

The reason we're discontent is because of two GOOD things:

1) We are exposed to more global information
2) We have higher standards

When people say they "never thought they'd see the US talking this way about torture" they forget that during the "good" war (WWII) we rounded people up and herded them into camps.

Imagine if Bush were to try something similar. Yet FDR is a hero of the progressive movement.

We stand on the shoulders of giants and curse the stars their distance.

The local rag had a story about this being retribution for 1 resident who needed nursing home type care and refused to transfer.

Google port townsend leader victoria house

I don't see anything wrong with Assisted Living Concepts (symbol ALC) trading near a 52 week low dumping their unprofitable patients. Who is going to invest in a company that makes charity of stock holders investments? Their latest quarterly report is here. I note the report indicates "Medicaid rates are generally lower than rates earned from private payers. Therefore, we consider our private pay mix an important performance indicator. Although we intend to continue to reduce the number of units occupied by residents paying through Medicaid, we currently provide assisted living services to Medicaid funded residents in 9 of the 17 states in which we operate."

Nice to see that they're working on improving return on investment (ROI). This stock doesn't appear to pay a dividend, so investors need to rely on the stock appreciating. Enough said of the business aspects except to note that if they feed their patients dog food, it might enhance the performance of the stock.

So long as the American public has voted that medical care be a profit creating enterprise, we'll see more of the same. I think that Ross Perot had it right - we should research the national health care systems out there and copy the best program. Since 29 out the 30 countries with national health care have "single-payer" systems, this proposal is antithetical to the insurance companies since, if the profit center approach is discarded, that national health care should be converted to a corporate welfare system like the prescription drug program was. The corporate media is doing their level best to keep the terminology "single-payer" out of the public vernacular.

The system is a mess, and meanwhile, the U.S. spends half the world's expenditures on military purchases, the exact problem that Ike noted in his exit speech to the American public where he pointed out the undue influence on politics by the military-industrial complex. The budget isn't balanced, so any paying for Medicaid will requiring the printing of dollars. As the government continues to print dollars, the currency will devalue, and the world will discard the dollar as the world's reserve currency. Medicare is also going to run into a shortfall of dollars shortly.

However, being the good Republican that I am, I'm confident that the good Lord will miracle away the deficits and cure all the ailments of our senor citizens.

carol @ 16:

This seems to be the last step before just lining them all up and shooting them. Got gun?

Bush and the GOP would call that the "helping the elderly eliminate stress in their lives initiative."

And then Babs Bush and brother Neil would start a consulting company, selling software to the elderly on investing in this "one-time can't miss opportunity," with all proceeds going to an offshore tax-free charity, that has a Caymen Island, Bush family P.O. Box address.

Dear John,

Today I watched as decency and democracy died in my country. It was sudden and without any real struggle or commotion, just the sad quiet passing of a once great giant. I wanted to cry but found that my tears had all dried up over the last 20 years or so while we were all slowly ground down by our corporate overlords, broken on the wheel of politics, boiled slowly in a pot like frogs. Take your pick.

I want to care, I really do, but if this doesn't move us to revolution then it's just one more cowards death. If you can't be bothered to DO something then it really isn't proper for you to cry your crocodile tears in public so you can be counted as a caring soul. Just one more frightened angry person ducking their responsibility as a citizen...

Eisanna Eiger @ 85:

I also do not think tribe = gov't in all cases. I support aid to mothers and fathers of infants and childern who are in need of help, as well as to the elderly. As a last resort gov't care, that is also high quality (ever been to a place that takes all the Medicare and SSI patients?..not very nice) for those who need extra help.

I've worked in privately owned nursing homes and the care provided had nothing to do with income or payment type. It's all about profit and each resident of the home was assigned three diapers a day... it didn't matter if it was a private payment or government payment. All the residents received the same lack of supplies and had to eat the same crappy food. I've also worked at local government run nursing homes. What a difference. The residents received excellent care at the government run nursing home as compared to the poor quality of care given at the privately owned nursing homes. It wasn't the quality of the staff, it was the lack of resources needed to provide proper care.

Assisted Living Concepts threw out the elderly, Medicare patients for the same reason we invaded Iraq.

Because they could.

One solution would be for Medicaid and Medicare to pay for a in-home health assistant instead of paying for a nursing home. Even if someone can stay home to take care of an elderly relative, they may still need help getting this person out of bed, feeding, bathing etc... . It would certainly be a lot cheaper because of less overhead.

This is just one more reason why HR 676 needs to become the law of the land.

Only in America, only in America. Damn I love my fucking country at times like this, the way I loved my crippled old cat enough to put her down.

Coffins draped in flags @ 36:

Marc @ 11:

Where is the respect for our elders? It is sorely lacking in our culture.

Marc - you are so right about this. Other cultures respect their elders and care for their elders. We have a throw away culture and our elderly are not much more than another throw away. It's all about youth and beauty.

It's all about money - money - money.
My parents taught compassion to me and my siblings. Parents don't teach today and as a result, people with no morals or scruples run this country.

The Health Care Financing Administration ( HCFA ) administers the Medicaid program. Authorized under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

HCFA has been making illegal agreements with federal HMO contractors to deny ( T42CFR417 Adverse Determinations ) Existing Federal Hospital Extended Care Insurance ( Nursing Home Care ) to force illegal State Medicaid Applications ( October 21,1998 DHHS OIG Volentary Disclousure Program, to allow anti-dumping violations ). And then the same procedure is used T42CFR417 to deny the HCFA State Medicaid Payments. DUMPING & MEDICAID go hand in hand, and the Health Care Finance Administration ( HCFA now called CMS ) should be investigated for Federal Hospital Insurance & Medicaid kickback Fraud against American Citizens.

I wrote to Ms. Bebo and she responded today. So she's feeling the heat, but I'm sure she'll have no problem enjoying Thanksgiving.

It took me about 3 minutes to find the CEO’s name and email address and write her.
Laurie Bebo
quality@alcco.com