As a family member, you may but are likely not aware that the Federal Government has recently passed new federal rules that dictate and mandate minimum staffing in skilled nursing home.
Here is a link to the announcement: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-minimum-staffing-standards-long-term-care-facilities-and-medicaid-0
The real questions facing you is: So What? Does it matter? Does it help? Will this help me and my loved one? I will attempt to answer the above questions and give a little free advise on how best to navigate the constant changing system and rules of LTC from a families perspective.
SO WHAT? Does it matter?
Collectively as a nation it does matter. Some states already has minimum staffing levels that MANY are already not meeting. Many facilities struggle to recruit staff for lots of reasons from location to pay to desired population… i mean, if you want to provide nursing care to infants and mothers… LTC is not going to be a fit for you! Many facilities are highly successful but not at the current state mandated guidelines. I, myself was the administrator to a 5 star building that was deficiency free… but still not meeting the state guidelines. SO… from a families perspective, does staffing matter? The answer is no!
Let me explain. The biggest predictor of quality of care of an INDIVIDUAL resident is the frequency of visits from the family. I would rather have a family visit 4 times a day for 15 minutes than 1 visit for an hour. It’s about frequency and routine. Example: If I am a caregiver and I have 9 residents that I need to get up. Ms. Jone’s family comes every day at 9 AM and Mr. Smith’s family rarely comes. I am here because I love my residents and I don’t want to disappoint or upset my families… so… guess who is going to be up, dressed and ready by 9 AM every day? I will get to and take care of Mr. Smith… but he will not be a priority in my sequencing of care.
Does it help? Will this help me and my loved ones?
Volume of staff or high staff to resident ratio’s are not a predictor of quality of care. You can have one care giver to one elder…. and if the caregiver is not engaged and interested…. you will still not have quality of care. Again, the best predictor of quality of care on an individual basis is frequency of family visiting and the families kind, compassionate engagement with the staff. Kindness and engagement go a long way in building the relationship between families and caregivers. The Regulators love this regulation because regulators/inspectors are able to use basic math and when has math been successful in measuring the value of human lives: both resident and care giver.
This is a link to the AHCA/NCAL evaluation and response: https://www.ahcancal.org/Data-and-Research/Pages/Staffing-Mandate-Analysis.aspx
If you are struggling with achieving the care results that you desire for you loved one… consider giving me call and letting me assist you. I can walk beside you as an experience mentor and coach. I will help you to achieve your results. There is no need to walk alone.
Grace and Peace,
Bryan