HHS Will Allow Feeding Assistants in Nursing Homes

September 28, 2003

HHS Will Allow " Feeding Assistants " in Nursing Homes

September 24, 2003

The Department of Health and Human Services is preparing to issue a rule that

will allow the use of " feeding assistants " to help relieve a shortage of help in

nursing homes nationwide, The New York Times reported.

The assistants, who will be required to have eight hours of training, will be

permitted only to feed residents at mealtimes -- a job that is now normally

performed by certified nurse's aides (CNA), who must have 75 hours of training

and pass a proficiency exam.

HHS says the rule, expected to be published in a few days, will improve the

quality of care by providing additional staffing at busy mealtimes. But patient

advocates are objecting to the change.

The relaxation of standards could cause " real harm to nursing home residents, "

said David M. Certner, director of federal affairs for AARP. Other organizations

criticizing the measure included the Alzheimer's Association and the National

Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, which said the Bush Administration

was " trying to address a real problem in a very bad way. "

" A 16-year-old feeding assistant, with one day of training and little

experience, will not be equipped to deal with your 90-year-old grandmother if

she starts to choke or has heart failure, " said Janet C. Wells of the nursing

home reform coalition.

The American Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes, welcomed

the change and said it will be " a major help in addressing the shortage of

health-care workers. "

It's expected the most of the assistants will be part-time, minimum-wage workers

including students, retirees and homemakers. Some nursing homes may also use

clerical, laundry and other non-nursing personnel at mealtimes.

HHS says the program has been proven in demonstration projects in Wisconsin and

North Dakota.

Critics say nursing homes will use the new rule as an excuse to replace

higher-paid CNAs with lower-paid unskilled workers.

NEW WEB MESSAGE BOARDS - JOIN HERE.

Alternative Medicine Message Boards.Info

The New with improved product search

Recommended Posts