To: Monica Bharrel

December 23, 2016

To: Monica Bharrel

DPH Commissioner

I write to you asking that the grandfather clause allowing us and all nursing homes in Massachusetts built prior to 1968 not be removed from regulations so that we may continue to serve and meet the needs of our wonderful elder population and their families.

I have been working in one facility in long term care for almost five years. Though a short time compared to many of my colleagues, I have probably met hundreds of residents and their families throughout my time here, both as a charge nurse and as an MDS Coordinator. Removing the grandfather clause would not only close over 100 nursing homes and put hundreds, if not thousands, out of jobs, so many more people would be losing their homes, some of which who have been there for years. The company I work for provides short term rehab and skilled nursing services but it is also a permanent home for specifically 28 residents currently in my facility. Our staff is small and made up of some of the most caring, thoughtful, and skilled individuals that I know. The residents who live here have become family for many of us. Their families have become our extended family. Those of us who spend hours with our residents both directly and indirectly work to meet our goal every day to provide ‘quality care in a home-like setting’ and this is our residents’ home. I truly believe each of us takes pride in our work or we would not come here every day. Our residents’ families trust our opinions and our care with their closest loved one. If we were to have to shut down, that trust would be lost for all of those families. From bringing in their morning coffee, to taking a stroll around the block and then tucking them in at night, being the small facility that we are we are able to do these little daily things that make a difference to our residents and is what gives our families the confidence they need that their loved ones are receiving the best treatment and TLC around the clock.

I have lived far away from my own grandparents for almost my whole life. In my adult life I’ve only had one living grandparent. It has only been since taking this job in my “older” facility that I really have learned the kind of care our elders need, and how hard it is for them to get it. If my grandmother lived in Massachusetts, I would feel completely comfortable having her live at our facility, or any of the others in our company requiring this grandfathered clause, because I know that it is not the width of the hallways or corridor size that matters, but in fact the care, passion, and knowledge the staff employed by such a facility that really matters.

Respectfully,

Kristen Droeske, RN

MDS Coordinator

Timothy Daniels House

Holliston, MA