Anti Nursing Homes

I hope everyone is doing well! I took a long break from writing to give my hand time to heal after surgery. I also hope everyone had a wonderful summer! Here’s an updated picture. You can hardly tell now.  

I want to talk about a big problem we’re facing. One that might affect you someday. Even if you feel invincible now, I learned that can change in the blink of an eye. This is one issue that I really pray to see big changes on.

“Anti-nursing homes” refers to strong criticisms, legal actions, and movements advocating for better disability/elder care, stemming from issues like profit-driven understaffing, poor conditions (filth, neglect), patient abuse, lack of autonomy, inadequate staffing, fraud (kickbacks), and high mortality/morbidity rates, leading many to seek alternatives like aging in place with home care or assisted living. The movement pushes for stricter regulations, better funding, and corporate accountability, highlighting a system where profit often supersedes patient well-being, exemplified by DOJ investigations and advocacy groups like Justice in Aging. 

On July 4, the President signed into law the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1), previously known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The law includes the largest cuts in history to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), all to expand tax cuts for the wealthy. The law endangers the health and financial security of millions of older adults across America by cutting these programs by well over $1 trillion and taking health coverage from 15 million people.

These cuts break a promise to everyone in America that we can depend on assistance as we age. They weaken the foundation of our health and long-term care system and will impact us all, but the worst impacts will fall on those who can least afford them and who already face the greatest barriers to staying healthy and meeting their needs.

The “anti-nursing homes” idea is a multifaceted one, encompassing a range of perspectives and approaches that challenge the traditional model of institutionalized elder and disability care.

It’s not about being against care for the disabled and elderly, but rather advocating for alternatives that prioritize autonomy, dignity, and a higher quality of life for older and disabled adults.

This is not an individual issue so please don’t feel bad if you ever needed to place a loved one in a nursing home! This is just how our society solved this issue. Loved ones aren’t given many options. These laws really need to change! In my opinion, it’s a horrible solution. Not really a “solution”, more like sweeping a mess under a rug. “Out of sight, out of mind”.

The fact that HUMAN BEINGS are seen as a nuisance instead of a concern is terrifying to me. Out of all the dangerous things in this world that we fear, I think humans are the biggest threat to themselves. We create most of the problems we complain about. Then we criticize politicians alone but it’s not just them. We elect these people to represent us but they can’t do everything. People stopped using their own voices. I think people just keep their heads down but please remember….. this is the life we leave our children. This is something that most of us will face and should be taken more seriously. People don’t make helpful changes when they can and then are trapped in a terrible situation when they can no longer easily make changes.

We basically created our own prisons as reward for a life well lived. Reward? For all of our contributions? For loving and taking care of the generation making these decisions? A generation who might be there one day. Very few people can escape it.

When I was in a nursing home, there was a Holocaust survivor (who wrote a book about it), young people, older people, people from the ghetto and also rich people who could afford care at home and every luxury. Rich people whose family dumped them there with nothing after a judge gave another person control of them.

Prisons don’t discriminate but if you don’t commit a crime, your reward is getting treated similarly but you get to pay for it. We pay for criminals to live though

In my area, there are a lot of nursing homes for people to die in but very few places to help them really live! People don’t want to go in them and their families don’t want to put them in one but this is the government’s answer and it’s terrible for everyone involved.

Abuse is one of the biggest issues in nursing homes but often isn’t reported because: you depend on these same people for your daily care and there will be repercussions. I experienced them first hand. Plus, patients don’t want to worry their family or give them any reason to feel guilty. People also enjoy the rare visits so they don’t want to make it a negative experience.

Here’s a breakdown of the core arguments and potential solutions:

The Problems with Traditional Nursing Homes (the “Anti” Argument):

Loss of Autonomy and Control:  One of the biggest criticisms is the regimented and often depersonalized environment.  Residents often have limited control over their daily routines, meals, activities, and even personal space. This can lead to feelings of helplessness, depression, and a diminished sense of self.

My condition is much worse in the morning so it’s hard to do anything early. Showers…..They pretty much hose you down. When you have nerve damage, that feels like someone setting you on fire. They don’t care if you need to shower at night, they have a schedule and won’t change it. The aides had a schedule to shower residents twice a week at 7am. If you slept in or were in pain, you didn’t shower for even longer. If showering at 7am hurt you because of your condition, unless you have a Dr saying so, they don’t care! It’s brutal! You feel like you’re a product on an assembly line where efficiency now replaces free will.

Isolation and Loneliness: Despite being surrounded by others, nursing homes can be very isolating.  Separation from family, friends, and familiar surroundings contributes to loneliness, which is linked to a variety of negative health outcomes. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have visitors.

The focus of a nursing home is often on physical care, sometimes neglecting social and emotional needs. Traditional nursing homes tend to prioritize medical care and physical safety, sometimes at the expense of overall well-being. The focus can be on managing symptoms and preventing falls, rather than fostering independence and personal growth.

I remember having to hide in the bathroom to exercise because they’d yell at me and say I shouldn’t risk falling because they would have to fill out a lot of paperwork. No concern for my health or mental well-being. They made me eat by mouth and also fed me again through a stomach tube. That made me gain so much weight and not being allowed to exercise outside of therapy 2 hours a day….. I got so unhealthy and I was in a terrible head space.

Overmedication is a major concern. When I was admitted to a rehab/nursing home, I was prescribed all of these medications I didn’t need by a Dr. I had not even met. I was given them before I was even in my room. They were also prescribed days before I got there. I tried to refuse but they said I HAD to take them and just added everything through my stomach tube. I guess zombies are easier to care for. Nobody spoke up for me.

One day I finally told the nurse- no offense because I like you and you’re just doing your job but if you come at me with anything that can’t go through my mouth, it’s ending up on the floor. Tell the Dr to wean me off of EVERYTHING!- They kept that stomach tube in & unused for over 2 years until I begged and threatened them.

The patients whose families are very involved, insist more attention be given to their loved ones. The institutions aren’t hiring more staff so guess who gets neglected? I don’t blame the families! Who wouldn’t want that? It’s a hard situation for everyone involved. It’s the policies that need to change. The way this country treats its elderly and disabled is so sad. Every zoo I’ve been to is a hundred times nicer. Really think about it. That says a lot!

Institutional Atmosphere: The physical environment itself can be depressing. Nursing homes are often designed with efficiency and cost in mind, leading to sterile, impersonal spaces that lack the comforts and stimulation of a home environment. This can exacerbate feelings of confinement and detachment.

I’ll never forget when I first got there, going to the dining room one evening….. someone choked and died right next to me. I wouldn’t go back there. Besides therapy, I was stuck in that room for four years. They didn’t even take me outside to feel the sun and breeze.

Cost and Accessibility:  Nursing home care is expensive, placing a significant financial burden on families and insurance. Access to quality care can be limited, particularly for those with lower incomes. The financial incentives often prioritize occupancy rates over quality of care.

Staffing Challenges:  High turnover rates, low wages, and demanding work environments contribute to staffing shortages and burnout. This impacts the quality of care and the ability of staff to provide personalized attention.

Alternatives and Solutions (The “Pro” Argument for a Better Way):

The “anti-nursing home” movement champions a variety of alternative approaches that seek to address the shortcomings of the traditional model:

Aging in Place: Supporting older adults to remain in their own homes for as long as possible.  This involves home modifications, assistive technologies, home health services, and community support programs.

Home Care:  Providing personalized care in the individual’s home, allowing them to maintain their independence and connection to familiar surroundings. This can range from assistance with daily living activities to skilled nursing care.

Assisted Living:  Offering a supportive environment for individuals who need some assistance with daily tasks but don’t require the level of medical care provided in a nursing home.  Assisted living facilities often provide more independence and a greater sense of community.

Village Model:  Creating community-based organizations that provide a range of services and support to older adults living in their own homes.  These villages often coordinate transportation, social activities, and volunteer services.

Green House Project:  Developing small, homelike residences that provide personalized care in a nurturing environment. The focus is on creating a sense of community and empowering residents to make their own choices.

Co-housing:  Intentional communities where residents share common spaces and participate in decision-making. This can provide social support, reduce isolation, and foster a sense of belonging.

Intergenerational Living: 

Creating housing communities that integrate older adults with younger generations, fostering connections and mutual support. This can improve several issues like allowing older people to feel helpful, people of all generations to provide childcare, pet sitting, house-sitting, cooking for each other…..helping each other. Children learn so much about life when they are around the disabled and elderly. Helping people, however small, can make a child feel ten feet tall. They would be much less likely to stray down the wrong path.

Here’s a great article explaining this concept of Intergenerational living:

https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/blog/blueprint-intergenerational-living

Technology: 

Using technology to enhance the lives of older adults, including telehealth, remote monitoring, and assistive devices.

Person-Centered Care:  Focusing on the individual needs, preferences, and values of each resident. This involves developing care plans that are tailored to the person’s specific goals and desires.

Key Considerations:

Individual Needs:  The best solution depends on the individual’s physical and cognitive abilities, financial resources, and personal preferences.

Family Involvement:  Family members play a crucial role in providing support and advocacy for their loved ones. They can make a world of difference!

Policy and Funding:  Government policies and funding mechanisms need to support a wider range of care options, including home- and community-based services. There isn’t nearly enough focus on this in government so people need to speak up on behalf of their loved ones. I remember being so desperate to get out of that nursing home. Help was not easy to find. Especially with nobody helping me. I scoured the internet, wrote letters and filled out so much paperwork. This type of help should be widely known, easy to find and each choice should be presented to every patient that might be eligible. People have a right to know their options. They shouldn’t have to be tortured into complete desperation until they get lucky enough to stumble on the right information.

Innovation and Research: 

Continued innovation and research are needed to develop new models of care that are more effective and affordable. We have people smart enough to launch humans into outer space and build computers that fit in your pocket. They should definitely be focused on doing better by people. Instead of enhancing the lives of people who are already lucky enough to do what a lot of people can’t, we should first concern ourselves with making life equal for everyone. We talk of horrible people in history, singling out groups of people and treating them in horrific ways. But we do the same exact thing! It just seems more acceptable because instead of that awful shock and awe, we do it slowly and have adapted to it as a way of life. It’s so sad!

The “anti-nursing home” movement is not about rejecting the need for care, but about re-imagining how we provide that care. It is a call for a more person-centered, humane and empowering approach that prioritizes the dignity, autonomy, and well-being of older and disabled adults.

The goal is to create a system that supports individuals in aging gracefully, while also maintaining their quality of life for as long as possible. They are still people with feelings who have cared for others. They shouldn’t be discarded and abandoned.

People’s lives are so busy that it’s very hard to find the time to visit. Then you feel bad, they are sad. The world really feels their absence. They really feel the world’s absence. Families miss out on the wonderful connections & family history ….. It’s bad for everyone! The people who benefit are the people making money off of helpless people because of horrendous laws.

A lot of countries honor the elderly and disabled so these people dumping grounds don’t exist there.

Government is all about efficiency but we need the people who truly understand this, with their hearts, to speak up. Younger people need steel bars and shackles but the elderly and disabled have so many extra barriers so people don’t really notice that they are being held prisoner. I remember often thinking…..I thought torture was illegal in this country. Just remember, these might be your choices some day. If you can’t imagine yourself in any situation, why would you think that is something others deserve? People who contributed to this world and cared for this generation. How quickly people forget!

“The fight or flight response is how human beings respond to stress.

It’s a survival mechanism that allows us to react quickly to life-threatening situations.

Some of us prefer flight. We escape to protect ourselves.

And some of us prefer to stay and fight. Even if we know we might lose in the end.

But what if a threat comes out of nowhere?

How do we fight when we’ve been knocked down again and again?”

~Brilliant Minds