Vicki Brandjord

Lake Metigoshe

I am writing about my concerns over the federal requirements for nursing homes to have a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day in long term care facilities starting in May of 2027 in rural communities.

The smaller homes are in smaller communities where they are necessities to rural families. If rural communities cannot meet this mandate, the residents of these facilities will have to be placed elsewhere, which for the most part is always a long distance from their families. These residents need access to their families and the families (basically the spouse of the person) do not always have access to transportation, which makes it difficult for the families to travel great distances to see their loved ones. And, at times, they must depend on others for help, which is never an easy feeling. Primarily, it makes it very difficult for families to spend time together when distance separates them.

Another concern about this federal requirement are benefits and the wellbeing of the patients and their families. Being separated by long distance is of no benefit. Presence of family is necessary on both sides. I have been there with my husband, mother and mother-in-law, just to name a few.

Considering that this regulation deals with long term care facilities, a home primarily for the elderly, not a hospital, I believe LPNs, aides and staff as a whole are in tune with the needs of these elderly residents they care for; and, if they need medical attention, most rural communities can request EMS and ambulances and have their residents taken to their local hospitals with emergency rooms that are available 24 hours a day.

It is also sad that these homes are classed as rural versus cities because disparities between large and small can’t always be the same. It just causes more problems. I think this federal mandate should reconsider this regulation in such a way to see if there is a way to bypass the Fed’s control over the states. I would like to know, too, what do the waivers contain, how are they implemented, do our legislatures at the state level have any control on the outcome and would they be willing to fight against this mandate?