From WCCO.COM (June 26, 2007)
(WCCO) A state lawmaker is learning about nursing home care by spending 24-hours as a patient at a home in rural Winthrop, Minn.

Rep. Terry Morrow’s injury — a broken hip — may be fake, but the lessons he is learning are very real.

“I dropped a pen on the floor and now I can’t pick it up,” said Morrow, D-St. Peter, as he pushed himself in a wheelchair. “I get an idea of somethings that can be changed just in the amount of paperwork … which I don’t think I would have really sensed had they just told me about it.”

Morrow underwent physical therapy and spent time hearing how residents value living in a hometown care facility where visitors, and friendly care, are more likely.

“More than just take care of us — visit, talk to us,” said Joyce Ittel, a nursing home resident.

However, Ittel worries some of her favorite caretakers will look for work elsewhere.

The state budget crunch resulted in many workers receiving little or no pay increase for the past four years in a row — a warning sign that a quarter of nursing homes in Minnesota are in financial crisis.

“Not immediate jeopardy of closing but … I hope that we have some financial assistance in the next few years or I could definitely see that we would be at risk,” said Lori Bussler, an administrator at Good Samaritan Society.

It’s especially tough for rural homes. Morrow already knew the economic puzzle before he checked in, now he has an up-close appreciation for what’s at stake.

“Nursing homes need to get more money than they’ve been getting,” said Morrow.

Morrow said he’ll help sponsor a measure to increase funding to nursing homes. One estimate is that 40 rural Minnesota nursing homes will close in the next year.

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For more on Terry’s work on nursing home funding:

Our View — Nursing homes should be first budget priority (Mankato Free Press, June 28, 2007)
http://www.mankato-freepress.com/editorials/local_story_179144133.html?keyword=topstory