Opinion
Editor’s
DESK
ReaderPoll
James M. Berklan
Editor, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News
“I knew I wanted to be in
jim.berklan@mcknights.com
this field when …”
“In the year 2003, tributing to and serving the older
I used to take my citizens of our state. The time came
Deferral of MDS 3.0 is therapy dog to
nursing homes in
when I simply believed we were no
longer truly caring for our older citi-
hardly a reason to rest my area through
a church ministry
zens. I needed to serve where I knew
I could more fully impact the lives
Sheridan called, PAWS (Pets of older persons. An owner offered
When the announcement came down, the news couldn’t have Are Working Saints). When I saw an me an AIT (administrator in train-
been a shock to anyone who had been paying attention. But it advertisement in my local newspaper ing) with a position in that facility to
was still big news. for an administrative assistant at continue. It has been a rewarding 16
MDS 3.0, see you next year. Lutheran Care at Moorestown, I knew years. So much so I am continuing
Well, maybe. I could work in that environment to work beyond the ‘normal’ retire-
When federal regulators wisely decided in March to admit that as I enjoyed the atmosphere of the ment age.
an October 2009 rollout wasn’t going to be possible for MDS 3.0, homes I visited.” —Administrator, Bob Maze,
they did all stakeholders, including themselves, a big favor. —Human Resources Coordinator, Freelandville Community Home,
Ever since the October 2009 rollout target for MDS 3.0 was Marie C. Sheridan, Lutheran Care at Freelandville, IN
announced, some observers said it could never happen that quickly. Moorestown, Moorestown, NJ
Even if the new standards had been released in a timely manner, “I became a nursing assistant at the
software vendors and providers would have had to fall in line with “Shortly after I arrived in the U.S.A., age of 16 at a local nursing home and
them on time. I started volunteering at a nursing knew from that moment that I found
That was never going to hap- home in my neighborhood. After my my niche with the elderly population.”
[ ]
pen. In fact, I’d be willing to bet first day of socializing with the resi- —Director of Operations, Sharon Bixler,
it won’t happen until 2011. dents, I knew where I belonged.” Wilmac Corp., York, PA
“I’d be willing Regulators should wait to