I have heard alarming stories from people about seniors in long term care facilities not having adequate?

Question

clothing. Among other things. I find this unacceptable.

Do you think people in your community would get involved in a fundraiser for seniors? Say a community drive for clothing?
I'm interested in your answers. Thanks

Answer 1

unfortunately it is true
many residents of nursing homes have no one to make sure that they have what they need. and when you consider that if they are on state assistance they are only allowed to keep $30 of their social security every month for their personal needs, it doesn't go very far. also many of them aren't able to get out and go shopping, so they are without.
when both my mother-in-law and father-in-law died, I went through their clothing and took anything that was still in good shape (no stains or tears) to a local nursing home. i called ahead to make sure they wanted it and could use it. they did not want underwear, bras, or socks. apparently because of sanitation reasons
the person that i gave it to said she would make sure that the neediest residents got it - not the ones who already had plenty. i appreciated that as we had always made sure that my in-laws had everything they needed simply because we loved them and were there for them as they had been there for us when we needed them

Answer 2

Sadly there are many things lacking for our seniors in long term care. The place I visit has a tree at Christmas and people take an ornament and it has some type of clothing each resident needs you to buy them. I'm sure they'd welcome things anytime of year. Go to the facilities you want to help and get a list of the things needed. If people can donate these things in good condition fine. What you don't get, can be bought with money you make at a fundraiser.

Many people need someone to visit them and check that they are getting the things/care they need. People in your community could take turns visiting. Go at different times, so you will see how things really are. The staff is usually overworked and the small things volunteers do help a great deal. Make sure everyone ALWAYS asks the medical staff before doing anything that might interfere with the person's health care.Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention.

Answer 3

Every nursing home patient need a benevolent sponsor to see that he/she has adequate care and proper medical attention. Without that kind of oversight from the outside the patient’s needs will often be overlooked by overworked staff members.

Tragically there are so many who are at the complete mercy of the nursing home staff while family members have left them to languish. A friendly and helpfull visitor would be a Godsend.

Clothing drives are a good thing but community involvement and individual patient care oversight would relieve a lot of misery.

Answer 4

I also find it unacceptable, especially when they went in with adequate clothes.

Here in the area where I live now, as well as, back home, there were always problems with keeping clothes where they belonged in the SNF's. When they were sent for laundering, with names on the tops, bottoms, socks, etc., rarely was a full order returned and you never saw them again. Also, they mysteriously disappear out of the rooms (want to guess where they went) never to be seen again. This is just accepted by the Nursing Home Administration, never mind the fact that they do not try to replace anything.

It angers me, terribly, that these thing go on. These folks have worked and paid their dues, they deserve better.

In fact, I know several ladies groups, in several states, I'm going to contact them and see if they won't do a drive for several of the SNF's in their area.

Thanks for the question and the idea.

Answer 5

When a resident enters a nursing home, they are supposed to bring their own clothing and the family is supposed to mark the resident's name on them. However, sometimes, just like at home when you wash your socks, things get lost. Some families cannot afford to pay for things for their family member who is in the facility, so I think it would be a great idea to promote having people donate to the nursing home, also donate time. They are very short handed and whatever time people can spare, would benefit a lot of people.

Answer 6

I didn't know this was a problem, either, until someone told me. So I took a box of men's shirts and pj's to the local nursing home and they were very thankful. They probably don't, however, want to be bombarded with crates of any discarded clothing. Call around first, or see if arrangements can be made through a local thrift store with second-hand clothing. It is good to inform the public, however. Good question!

Answer 7

Thanks for bringing this up. I had no idea that there were
seniors in need in nursing homes. I was just thinking I don't
know of any organization that would donate goods to them,
having worked for the two largest in the country. But private
donations would be the answer I'm sure. Thanks for the infor-
mation. This would be a good way to ask about donations of
other usable goods at Christmas and Chanukah. Bath soaps
and razors and sachet for dresser drawers, and hair brushes
and magnifying mirrors or even magnifying glasses to help
them read the fine print on things. Sometimes the bifocals
can't enlarge things enough either. So thanks for the info.

Answer 8

I am looking into becoming an ombudsman for seniors, so lack of proper clothing is one area I will definitely look into. Don't know that this is a problem in our smaller town area, but in some cases of course,neglect is. If there is not already a program here for this, I KNOW that local people would enthusiastically get behind helping these folks.

Answer 9

Many thanks to you for this question.. I had no idea! I toss so much clothing in a year it is ridiculous, most of it worn maybe once! Shirts, pants and coats. The days of dumpster are over for this...I am checking around this area to see if people need clothing. It just never occurred to me, and now that it does, .... I just cleaned out an entire wardrobe of my deceased business partner...so many brand new clothes that still had tags on them! I gave them to the AM Vets (a great organization, by the way, and they neeeeeeeeed men's clothing desparately.
I really have to say thanks again. With all the nonsense and silliness we go through here in fun, it is wonderful to be alerted to this situation. A star to you for this one,
Love, peace and greatness in life, Phil

Answer 10

The family is supposed to provide clothing, but of course this doesn't always happen. I work in an aged facility, and we staff quite often go shopping in "op shops" for clothes for our elders. Its a shame, after a lifetime of giving to their families, that these people are wearing second-hand clothes bought for them by nursing staff.