(The following excerpts are from an article published in local newspapers.)

... Many of you wonder why anyone would want to work in a "nursing home".  Many of you do not envy those of us who choose to spend much of our waking hours with "old people".  Those of us who work here wonder, "Why would you not?"  These people are some of the most precious people on earth who have made the world a better place for those of us who are reaping the benefits of their hard work, wisdom and leadership.  It has been said that the measure of any society is how we treat our elders. ...

To providers of long-term care and senior services: we all need to move forward, embracing change and continually improving the services we provide to our elders.  We're doing a great job, but we can do even better.

To the media: balance your coverage ...  For every "bad" story, there are countless "good" stories. ...

To the regulators: continue to do the difficult job you have to do, but consider the big picture and help the facilities to embrace and move toward cultural change. ...

To advocacy groups: you have a very important job.  Please don't paint everyone with the same tarnished brush when you hear the bad stories.  You have the responsibility of recognizing the high quality and compassionate care that the vast majority of facilities are providing ...

To legislators and politicians: consider this ... we are charged with helping people to reach their highest practicable level of functioning, physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually ...  In addition, we are to provide a living, working wage for our employees.  This is, for all practical purposes, impossible.  Yet facilities in Iowa are providing for the most part, very high quality of care and receiving some of the lowest Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement in the country.

To families and the community: continue to visit and support those elders and homes you are involved with.  Support them through volunteerism, visits, prayers and financial gifts.  Make sure you appreciate those who work there.  If you have not visited a long-term care facility, challenge yourself to do this.  You'll find the most wonderful people who have great stories to tell.  You'll also find that our elders are some of the most appreciative people around. ...

Betsy L. Warburton, President/CEO