TOPEKA, Kan., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the heels of a second citation for resident care problems by the Kansas Department on Aging, senior activists from the Campaign to Improve Assisted Living, members of SEIU Healthcare, and a professional caregiver took the care of Topeka's seniors into their own hands today.

 

In a street action at Atria Hearthstone East, activists called on the company to improve care for residents. Then a professional homecare provider offered to donate her time -- free of charge -- for a day to Atria Hearthstone to help alleviate some of the pressure that the caregivers there may be facing due to short-staffing.

"People go into this work thinking they are going to help seniors," said Rhonda Harris, a homecare worker from Springfield, Ill. "I'm proud of what I do for my clients. I want to help make sure that seniors here get proper staffing, and that these workers have the help they need. So I'm ready to donate my time."

Activists requested a meeting with the facility administrator to detail their concerns about care, and work toward solutions.

According to the Department on Aging, Atria Hearthstone East's most recent fine resulted from violations that "significantly and adversely affected the health, safety, nutrition, or sanitation" of adult care residents at the facility. The violations were identified in a survey conducted May 21 and June 4-6. Problems at the facility include resident wandering, excessive resident weight loss, a resident with a bed sore and more.

The Campaign to Improve Assisted Living and SEIU Healthcare are calling on Atria to make a real investment in front-line care by staffing-up, increasing worker training, and lowering worker turnover. More information at: http://www.improveassistedliving.org.

The Campaign to Improve Assisted Living is a coalition including SEIU Healthcare, assisted living residents, caregivers, family members, and senior     advocates working together to make sure that assisted living facilities     provide quality, safe housing and services at a good value.