Not All Skilled Nursing Facilities Get A Bad Rap

Much of the time, skilled nursing facilities or nursing homes as they are often referred to, get a bad rap. More often than not, tales of neglect and abuse overshadow the stories of care and compassion in the annals of the media, and our minds. Many think of a skilled nursing facility as the last unpleasant stop before dying. For many sick and elderly people it is, but for some, it is a sheltered destination for security, care and being loved. For Marie Sammartin who was dumped off in front of a 99-bed skilled nursing facility in Grass Valley, California with nothing more than a few bags of clothing and what was left of her dignity at the time, it was a miracle. Yes, she did die at the skilled nursing facility but not before receiving twelve years of care and companionship there from her extended family of caregivers.

With her passing at age 82, came the same questions that had been raised in 1993 when she was admitted. No family member has ever been identified even when days after her passing, she lay unclaimed at a local mortuary. During the twelve years that Marie Sammartin lived at the skilled nursing facility, the many who cared for her including nurses, aides, activity directors, staff and social workers preferred to focus on the positive aspects of her life and took on the responsibility of making decisions she could not make for herself. With the exception of her social security number and subsequent proof that government agencies could pay the $119 daily fee to stay at the skilled nursing facility, there are very few facts concerning her past.

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Sadly, the skilled nursing facility director stated that incidents where infirm or incapacitated relatives are dropped off there without warning are not all that uncommon. “How can you not take them in? she asked. “It’s not just about the money.” She went on to add that, “It’s just hard to fathom that anyone would do this to their parents.” Although no one knows for sure what happened in Marie Sammartin’s past that led up to her abandonment, what is certain is that she lived as full a life as possible during her twelve years in the Meadow View Manor’s room number twenty one.

Most of the elderly residents who live in skilled nursing facilities do receive the proper healthcare they require as well as the social engagement and inclusion in regular extended family activities. Many residents suffer from limited mobility, the inability to dress, feed and care for themselves and have varying degrees of dementia, but they are cared for by a resilient team of dedicated and caring people.

800Seniors.com is a leading referral system in the Elderly Healthcare industry. We are located on 5400 Atlantis Court, Moorpark, California 93021. 800Seniors.com provides the perfect match between seniors searching for health care provisions such as Home Care, Home Health, Skilled Nursing Houston, Hospice Care, Medical Supplies, as well as a variety of Assisted Living and Care Homes nationwide. Take the confusion and hassle out of the search. For more information call 1-800-768-8221, visit http://800seniors.com or fax us your details at (805)517-1623.

About The Author: Gloria Ha’o Schneider is an expert in senior citizen and baby boomer issues. Her topics revolve around Senior Living and Healthcare to provide the latest information to this demographic as well as their families and loved ones.