During the week of April 1, some of New Jersey’s most influential political leaders visited nursing homes across the state to “walk a day in the shoes” of nursing home caregivers. 1199SEIU members showed lawmakers how to mop floors, clean rooms, prepare food, lead recreational activities, and complete other tasks that are critical to providing for the daily needs of nursing home residents.

1199ers hosted the events to give lawmakers a better idea of the challenges that exist in taking care of the elderly and disabled, and to highlight the importance of ensuring that nursing homes are well-funded in the state budget.

Congressman Rush Holt, State Senators Anthony Bucco and Linda Greenstein, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, and Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty participated in the events, which were held at Morris Hills Center in Morristown, Voorhees Center Nursing Home in Voorhees, and Cranbury Center Nursing Home in Cranbury.

Elaine Marks, who has worked as a CNA at Cranbury Center Nursing Home for 3 years, supervised Congressman Rush Holt as he changed the linens on a resident’s bed. She explained to him that her job is to “help residents in and out of bed and get them ready for physical therapy; I also assist with feeding and bathing and help them with other needs throughout the day.”

Days like these are a great way to remind politicians what’s at stake when they’re making decisions on the budget, Elaine says. “It’s important that our elected officials see what really goes on behind the scenes. We don’t consider our residents as ‘patients,’ we think of them as part of our own family.”

In this spirit, 1199ers will continue to advocate for better nursing home funding so that residents can get the assistance they need in homes that are well-staffed, safely-equipped, and provide the highest level of care possible.

To read more about the “walk a day” events, check out the following stories:

» Morris lawmakers see what it takes to run a nursing home

» Morris Hills Center Voice Concerns to Lawmakers

» Holt and Greenstein do a day of work in a nursing home