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Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

oregonlive.com

11–20 of 227 posts

Re: Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

#11

Sounds like we should tax senior homes to fund increased staff for fire departments, basically de-privatizing senior homes...

Or firefighters can continue doing their job like the rest of us, seeing that they’re some of the highest paid members of our society… I think they’re just bitter they can’t use their lazy man recliners as much as they use to. I for one am glad they are finally experiencing what it’s like to work for any private organization.

Re: Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

#12
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> A resident needs a bandage changed? An IV line inserted? A catheter replaced? A prescription refilled? This is not stuff that robots can do in the near future.

First three, no, but why couldn't a robot refill a prescription or at least automatically handle the scheduling for that? And the goal isn't to automate that stuff, but rather automate everything else to free up expensive human hours for this work. So instead of spreading humans thin between cleaning toilets, cleaning floors, doing laundry, and putting in IVs, get the cleaning and laundry off the plate of the human.

Filling prescriptions needs human supervision and takes very little time relative to other things care facilities do.

Re: Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

#13

If there is an industry that needs startups, it is long term care and senior care in general. Expensive, nearly universally badly done, and it seems like a lot of people could stay in their homes with some automated appliances/thoughtful redesigns of everyday items. Hoping that when my grandparents start needing it in 5-10 years that the options have dramatically improved.

No, it’s not a startup industry. Nursing homes cannot be humane and generate the profits needed to be startups.

Nursing homes are the end of the road for “medical” related services. They are the last stop for people who nobody wants. Everyone associated with these places is exploited other than the guy who owns it and the custodians who clean and plow.

Re: Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

#14

If there is an industry that needs startups, it is long term care and senior care in general. Expensive, nearly universally badly done, and it seems like a lot of people could stay in their homes with some automated appliances/thoughtful redesigns of everyday items. Hoping that when my grandparents start needing it in 5-10 years that the options have dramatically improved.

[deleted]

Re: Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

#15
Senior homes and assisted living centers are a national disgrace. They are entirely about profit maximization (what business isn’t?), and as such hire people at the exact minimum and have well over 100% yearly turnover. The staff commonly steal from residents, and the management do not care. They’d rather retain a larcenous pig who barely executes her duties than have to go back and scrape the barrel for a replacement.

The residents are often lonely, in awful health, overlooked by their families, and spend all day watching television. Many of them are verbally abusive towards the staff.

Elderly people should live with their families. The ones with no families to care for them should be in nonprofit, closely regulated facilities with well-paid staff. And it’s time to stop spending $500K on medical care just so an 88 year old can make it to 89. Whoever spread that “death panels” meme should be forced to write America a check for five hundred billion dollars.

Re: Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

#16

If there is an industry that needs startups, it is long term care and senior care in general. Expensive, nearly universally badly done, and it seems like a lot of people could stay in their homes with some automated appliances/thoughtful redesigns of everyday items. Hoping that when my grandparents start needing it in 5-10 years that the options have dramatically improved.

Here's a home sharing company for older/younger pairs that I know of (not affiliated, had a friend work there for a while) https://www.silvernest.com/

Interesting take on it, imo.

Re: Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

#17

Sounds like we should tax senior homes to fund increased staff for fire departments, basically de-privatizing senior homes...

Or firefighters can continue doing their job like the rest of us, seeing that they’re some of the highest paid members of our society… I think they’re just bitter they can’t use their lazy man recliners as much as they use to. I for one am glad they are finally experiencing what it’s like to work for any private organization.

I'm going to wager a guess that you didn't read the article. They are being called to change bandages and replace IV's. This is NOT a firefighters job.

Re: Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

#18
post #4

If there is an industry that needs startups, it is long term care and senior care in general. Expensive, nearly universally badly done, and it seems like a lot of people could stay in their homes with some automated appliances/thoughtful redesigns of everyday items. Hoping that when my grandparents start needing it in 5-10 years that the options have dramatically improved.

> A resident needs a bandage changed? An IV line inserted? A catheter replaced? A prescription refilled? This is not stuff that robots can do in the near future.

Prescriptions could be filled, and delivered , but doctors love those pricy office visits. (It's a bit better with zoom.)

Re: Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

#19

Senior homes and assisted living centers are a national disgrace. They are entirely about profit maximization (what business isn’t?), and as such hire people at the exact minimum and have well over 100% yearly turnover. The staff commonly steal from residents, and the management do not care. They’d rather retain a larcenous pig who barely executes her duties than have to go back and scrape the barrel for a replacemen…

[deleted]

Re: Firefighters say they’re swamped by calls for routine care from senior homes

#20

If there is an industry that needs startups, it is long term care and senior care in general. Expensive, nearly universally badly done, and it seems like a lot of people could stay in their homes with some automated appliances/thoughtful redesigns of everyday items. Hoping that when my grandparents start needing it in 5-10 years that the options have dramatically improved.

A lot of people do stay in their homes. There is a significant niche industry of building contractors and suppliers for retrofitting homes. Wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, walk-in bathtubs, etc. The real problems come with seniors who need direct hands-on care due to dementia and other serious medical conditions. Remote patient monitoring and smart healthcare devices can help a little, and there are many startups in that space.
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