Isolation, care investigated at local nursing home
Students realize quality care for seniors is in jeopardy because of state funding cuts

-- Nicola Pine

Dominoes and cribbage are not typically associated with the traditional college class, but in the First College program, where students design an individualized area of focus, community engagement is an integral part of the curriculum. I learned this, firsthand, in the senior Capstone class I took this semester, which is the last class required before students graduate from First College. In the class, we reflect on our previous learning, complete a number of individual learning projects, and with other members of the class, address a community issue. This is how a few of us found ourselves playing games with a group of nursing home residents on a few Wednesday nights in March.

Identifying an issue was not an easy task. With areas of focus ranging from aviation management to youth media education, students in the First College program do not share a specific area of knowledge. As we brainstormed ideas though, we realized that we were all affected by the issue of aging, and were concerned about the condition of nursing homes in our state and the isolation that many nursing home residents experience. We decided on a two-part project, which included volunteering at a nursing home, and doing research to learn more about the issue.

We volunteered at Dellwood Place, a nursing home on the East Side of St. Paul just two blocks from the university campus. The people at this small care center work hard to provide a home-like atmosphere for 108 residents. This is evident by the number of plants throughout the center, the comfortable décor, and many companion animals and birds. We spent two evenings with residents at Dellwood Place, playing games (cribbage, cards, and dominoes) and talking. We had fun joking around and learning about the residents, who seemed to really enjoy the companionship and change in their usual routine.

Meanwhile, our research group looked into the situation of nursing homes in Minnesota. We discovered that there are 402 nursing homes and 38,000 nursing home residents throughout the state, most of whom are over age 65. According to an accounting firm for the nursing home industry, one in four of these nursing homes are at risk of closing because of financial instability. While operating costs keep rising, the state has not increased per resident funding in the past two years. Like tuition increases for students, flat funding is a means to balance the budget. This “rate freeze” has had a devastating effect on nursing homes, resulting in staff layoffs, pay freezes, a decrease in the quality of the facilities, and the services they are able to provide. As a result, a number of nursing homes have been forced to close.

A bill is currently in the legislature to increase nursing home funding by 3 percent. While this may not help the most financially at risk nursing homes, it would at least be a small improvement. But more is needed. In the next 15 years, the number of Minnesotans over age 65 is expected to double. Many changes need to be made to keep the system viable, including more funding, more options for seniors, such as the chance to be cared for at home, and more awareness of the issues seniors face. While a game of dominoes at Dellwood Place may seem like a small thing, it was a valuable connection both for the nursing home residents, and for those of us on the outside.

If you are interested in volunteering at Dellwood Place, contact Sharyl Kaase, volunteer coordinator, at 651-772-5228. For more information about issues facing senior citizens, visit the Minnesota Senior Federation Web site at http://www.mnseniors.org.