Stop Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Before It Starts

INTRODUCTION In July of 2008, the decision was placed upon me as my mother's power of attorney to place her in a nursing facility. This was not an easy decision, and it was reached with great reservation, hesitation, and emotions. My mother suffered a major stroke 2 months prior to this placement and at this point was unable to walk or do anything for herself. She also had ESRD (end-stage renal disease), diabetes, congestive heart failure, and polymyositis (muscle disease in the lupus family). As you can see, there were a myriad of health problems, all coming together that contributed to the stroke and other complications. In my last book entitled: Caregivers and The Baby-Boomer Generation, I talked directly to caregivers and baby boomers because the average caregiver today is a baby boomer. In this book, I will be speaking not only to caregivers & caretakers, but families, spouses, and children of nursing home patients. Our world is in a terrible crisis, and without the help of God, humanity will perish! President Barak Obama is dealing with a plethora of urgent matters, ranging from world peace, a failing economy, gay rights, terrorist attacks, unemployment, and is attempting to provide adequate health care for all Americans. At the American Medical Associations Annual Conference 2009, President Obama stated: "The cost of our health care is a threat to our economy, an escalating burden on our families and businesses, and it is unsustainable for the United States of America. It is a ticking time bomb for the federal budget. If we don't fix our health-care system, America may go the way of GM; paying more, getting less, and going broke." On March 21, 2010, the health-care reform bill was voted on. Two days later, that bill was signed by the president. What hasn't been addressed in the media under the health-care reform umbrella are nursing home issues. I am not sure if this even falls under health care or whether it falls under health and human services. This may very well be something that has to be brought to the forefront by everyday people like you and me, who see the seriousness of the matter. Some of us have loved ones who have suffered and been violated while in the care of nursing homes and long-term facilities. God has given me a mandate to uplift, encourage, motivate, provoke the thinking, and EMPOWER people from all walks of life, regardless of race, creed, national origin, or color. My mission is to help others become INFORMED FAMILY ADVOCATES. Otherwise, our aged loved ones and family members could very well be victims of abuse or neglect, while others turn their back and do or say nothing. My objective in writing this book is to help other families who have members in or who are considering placing their family members in nursing homes. I also want to give consumers accurate and detailed information, along with resources, should someone you love or know become victim of nursing home neglect or abuse.