I am writing in opposition to selling Valley View Home. I have experienced Valley View Home in three different ways.
First, I worked at the home for 20 years before retirement as a charge registered nurse. In my 45 years of nursing, I never worked with a more dedicated staff.
Second, I moved my father and aunt across the state and from Washington, D.C., because I found no nursing homes in their areas that I would trust to care for them. I'm not the only staff member who entrusted their loved ones care to Valley View staff. The staff treats residents and families as their own family.
Third, twice in the last two years, I have chosen Valley View Home for my rehabilitation for two fractured hips. My physicians were impressed with my rehab. I was on the receiving end of the excellent care given at Valley View.
Three things will happen to quality of care given and received by Valley View residents if the home is sold:
- Staff will be cut.
- Quality of food will be decreased and supplies will be limited.
- If the home is sold, the employees will start at the pay scale again. That means less revenue for the county. Staff quality of living will decline with the wages.
A large majority of the staff has been employed there for their entire careers because they are dedicated to their residents. They have worked extremely hard to earn their wages and benefits.
A former commissioner also trusted family members care to Valley View Home.
County commissioners were voted in; they can be voted out if they sell Valley View.
Commissioners need to consider the residents and their care as top priority, not the money in the county accounts.
Mary Ann Beckwith
Altoona
