Comments by "Jennifer Washburn" (@thehappysheep2023) on "FRONTLINE PBS | Official" channel.

  1. I can tell you for a fact that she was far better off w you than being in a facility. Also consider the fact that is ludicrous to think that one caregiver should be able to do it all. Really seriously, I don't have to know you to know that your was still much better than your loved one being in a facility that contends w high employee turnover and staff shortages. I glad you were able to come to terms w how you handled things. May God bless you.
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  2. This was excruciating to watch but I had to watch it none the less. This was very educational for me. What I find to be even worse is, they kept saying that AL is not regulated as heavy as skilled nursing. That is awful. What is even worse is that what experience I have had dealing w my Mother in Law and later my own husband, skilled nursing is still a nightmare even though they are regulated. I can't tell you how many times I witnessed, lack of staff on all levels at any given time. Lack of training. Staff that made me wonder if they barely passed their certifications or not. I hope that when the time comes that the Lord will just go ahead and take me home as opposed to having to live in AL or SN either one. My recommendations for family members w loved ones that have dementia/Alzheimers or other severe issues. I highly recommend keeping them at home if at all possible. But with this previso, that the entire family contribute to caring for that loved one and extend the help to friends and fellow church members to help in various capacities. It is very true that most times, one family member ends up doing it all and are expected to still do it all for their own household. Caregiving is hard and no one person or family can care for a loved one alone. Remember also, that there are situations where there are no other choices but put someone you love in a facility. But if you do, I highly recommend installing a camera in their room, check on them often or have family alternate different days and times to check up on them, inspect them for sores, bruises, pressure sores etc. Check w the medication staff, see if they are taking thier meds or not. Notice how much staff they have. And yes, from the get go, check out the facitilites aides to patients ratio and if they are meeting it or not.
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  3. Imagine if you will, you have one job, to keep 25 or more clients who are all incontinent, to keep them clean & dry during an 8 hour shift. I being generous because the truth is the aides are tasked with doing so much more than just that. Now imagine you are a client, who has to lay or sit in a dirty depends until your aide can get to you. And oh btw, her/his fellow staff-member called in sick today, so you gotta cover their people as well. That rock that needs to be looked under is ugly, ugly, ugly. And I am talking about the good employees.
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