patient to caregiver ratios

[philippians4:13]

:grn: Hi, my name is Deidre. I live and work in Ct as a CNA in homecare. I love my job but that hasnt always been the case. I use to work in LTC and moved around a lot between facilities untill I found out about homecare. I would not be a CNA today if it wasnt for homecare. I have seen a lot of abuse and neglect over the last twenty years infacilities. Some I have reported (and been thrown out once for doing so) I contacted the family before I left. Other times I would just quit. The nurses hands were tied. At times I was faced with neglecting residents myself and I knew I had to leave. There was just no way to provide quality care when the ratio was so high and the other aids were so busy with their long list that nobody could help you with lifts or transfers. It was a nightmare and I couldnt do it so I left this work for many years. Now that I have been working once again as a CNA I have in the short span of 6 months witnessed several cases of severe neglect. SO now what? Well, thats why I am writing. I am tired of the abuse and neglect going unchecked. Something needs to change. The ratio of residents to CNAs is a huge problem . I have contacted Senator Rob Kane about my concerns and what I have witnessed over the years and he , through his legal aid Kate O'Keefe , has put me in contact with Diane Smith RN from the Ct. Dept. of health. I am corresponding with her now and I am asking that if any CNAs or nurses have anything to share about this ratio problem and how it has affected you personally, I would love to hear about it and possibly share your story with Diane Smith. Something has to change. One day we could be the ones who end up in LTC and I fear by then it will be much worse. I will never forget the 92 year old lady who screamed in my ears and held on to me wth all her might cause she was afraid I would drop her on the floor. I wasnt even moving her but she had been dropped before. I knelt down on her bed till she let go of my hair and whispered reassurance to her. When she calmed down she looked in my face and said, "when I die I am putting in an order for pink fluffy wings for you." This is for you Margie. There is more that I can do about this than just offer temporary assurance. I want to see the patient to aid ratio changed. We have to speak up. You can remain anoymous if you like. I know the threat of losing your job is real and the last thing I want to do is cause any problems for health care workers. I have been learning a lot about the politics of health care and if anyone wants to give me a heads up as to why they think things are so bad I would appreciate that too . Thanks. Dee