Aging in Boston and Beyond in Massachusetts
It’s hard to consciously think about age.
Recently, I went to a meeting at Boston’s State House about the state of nursing homes in Massachusetts. The room was packed, and Representative Ruth Balser (D- 12th Middlesex) said she was surprised that people of all ages were attending.
The meeting focused on the state of nursing homes in Massachusetts and a large part of the discussion focused on a staffing crisis.
Some people who testified brought up the issue that CNAs and nurses are needed and the nurses are sometimes hard to keep at that job. Some of the closures have impacted many, as the Globe reported last year when nursing homes closed on the South Coast.
Many brought up stories about CNAs and other workers at nursing homes take another job to make enough money to provide for their families. Thus, the subject of a pay raise was brought up.
“This isn’t just an issue for long-term care, but an issue for all the vendors in this space,” David Mathog, who insures nursing homes as part of USI Insurance, said. Testimonies stressed that the crisis impacts vast swathes of people, “everyone that touches a nursing home…it touches hundreds of business,” Gary Skylar, Sales Director for Geriatric Medical, said.
Representative Balser said about halfway into the meeting, “But who’s going to pay for it?”
It’s an essential question when clear public need wants to be accommodated by government funding. However, it felt out of place with the general message of hope and yearning for change that all the testimonies preached. The room fell silent after she finished speaking about the issue.
But at the end of the meeting, Senator Jensen asked for a show of hands from all who supported the legislation. An overwhelming majority rose their hands.
It’s clear that many people want something to change, and age is something that everyone will have to deal with.
So, are the solutions in sight?
Only time will tell. However, is this a problem that can afford to wait?
