Suggestion on CNA shortage in R.I.

The story on the nursing home crisis , the shortage of

    CNAs , ( "  Nursing Homes struggle to find enough ", Sept. 3 )

    brought back memories of my experience at Bannister House

    Nursing Home in the early 80s .

            To be sure , the nursing staff was overworked, underpaid,

    and underappreciated. But FEAR - there was high unemployment

    at the time - literally kept them ( many were black ) in

    their place.

            I knew how GOOD many of them were at their jobs. I

    concluded that the job EXPLOITED your conscience.

           Anyway, how to solve the HELP problem in our

    nursing homes ?

          To begin with no CNAs should be working for less than

    $10 per/hour. There are many born saints working in Rhode

    Island nursing homes .  Their kindness and competence is

    assured under all conditions.

             But it is scandalous that society does not show its

    respect for nursing home workers with RESPECTABLE pay.

            Imagine having to flee socially significant work for

    the  gambling lunacy of Foxwoods ( Carol Martino's story ) !

             Perhaps  attracting more part time - always FRESH -

    help is part of the solution. Why  can't the state and

    the nursing homes get together to GUARANTEE health care

    benefits - IMMEDIATE benefits - to  part time nursing

    assistants working at least 20 hours per/week ?


            Happier workers are KINDER workers. And don't

    elderly people deserve to be surrounded by a little kindness

    before checking out of this world forever ?

           For ALL of us Judgment Day may be nearer than we

    think !