Letter: Nursing homes must take responsibility

I wish to thank you for printing my letter regarding my experiences with the nursing homes in this area. Several calls were received by me by those who had had similar experiences regarding family members.

Now, after reading the article regarding the woman patient at Nevada Cares, I was astounded that the owners were found not guilty. It is their responsibility to oversee that such patients are better cared for - bedsores come as a result of lying in one position or lack of cleanliness.

Next thing, I read of a woman patient in Florida who died after being bitten by ants. The owners of that nursing home were also exonerated - hard to believe, especially by the families of the patients. As for life support, I knew a neighbor who was on that for four months, after suffering strokes and heart attacks. She was nearly 80 years old. What kind of dignity was that?

Claims are being made by the owners of all these nursing homes that Medicare does not pay enough. Why are they in business, except to make a profit? They certainly are not non-profit!

I would not support a government insurance program such as our neighbor, Canada, has, as I heard some first-hand horrific experiences - one had to be destitute or dying in order to get immediate attention.

Let's hope and pray that some kind of solution for elder care can be resolved.

VIRGINIA WILEY

Carson City