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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

A Fair Wage Is Only Right

Naoma Terzieff Special To Opinion

Due to serious illness, a Pend Oreille County man I know requires 24-hour care. Thanks to strong family and community ties, he is able to receive it in his own apartment.

But there is a funding problem for individuals or families who, like this man, prefer in-home care over a nursing home.

Nurses, nurse aides and trained family members care for this gentle man around the clock. Home-care agencies in Newport, Colville and Spokane send therapists and registered nurses. I worked as an aide myself until I regretfully withdrew for personal reasons.

Here is the rub. It takes six full-time people to provide the care he needs. But the state pays for only five part-time people at $5.88 an hour. Though they are paid for only six-hour shifts, they do whatever it takes to provide full coverage. Eventually it translates to $4.41 an hour, in some cases even less.

This man could receive the necessary care, in a nursing home, at a cost to taxpayers of up to $4,500 a month. But by keeping him at home, the family is allowed less than 58 percent of that amount, or $2,600. For only $400 more, still a considerable savings over nursing home costs, the man could have round-the-clock care from people paid the full $5.88 an hour.

As a member of the Pend Oreille County Economic Development project, I know that home care is a source of job opportunities in the area. I see the failure on the part of the government to award this small additional grant as one more wasted opportunity to boost the job market in a floundering county, and it shows poor stewardship of taxpayers’ money.

As a human being I feel home care is more natural, and it leaves an opening in a nursing home for patients without options. I see first-hand how this man is responding favorably to the loving personal care he is receiving. He is not just a number on a door down a hallway.

Anyone without health insurance faces this dilemma. An illness does not first check one’s bank account. As taxpayers and as caring souls we surely have the power to end such demoralizing situations. People wishing to care for a friend, loved one or be part of the care team should be recognized and paid a worthy salary.

MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.

Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.