HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01271987 - S.1 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Adopted this Order on January 27, 1987 by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, Torlakson, McPeak
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: Geriatric Care
At the request of Supervisor Nancy Fanden, Health
Services Director Mark Finucane and members of his staff presented
an oral report on the status of geriatric care in Contra Costa
County.
Julie Peck, Director of Geriatric Services at Merrithew
Memorial Hospital, advised that in the past three months five
skilled nursing facilities in Contra Costa County have either gone
out of business or have converted to private pay facilities, thus
eliminating approximately 154 beds previously available for
Medi-Cal patients. She noted that Santa Clara County and San
Francisco County are experiencing the same type of problems and
are refusing to accept Contra Costa County patients. Ms. Peck
noted that the State Department of Licensing and Certification has
been citing and fining nursing homes that have patients identified
as "psychiatric" patients, those with mental or behavioral
disorders, which adds to the difficulty in placing that type of
patient.
Frank Puglisi, Executive Director, Merrithew Memorial
Hospital, commented on the special needs of the long-term
geriatric care patients and noted that an acute care hospital does
not have the specialized staff or facilities to meet those needs.
Mr. Finucane commented on actions his department might
take to address the problem, including holding a public hearing to
provide a forum for nursing home operators, patients and patients '
families to express their concerns; meeting with the California
Association of Health Facilities to present the County' s concerns
and solicit advice; preparing a position paper to be submitted to
the Joint Legislative Medi-Cal Task Force stressing that long-term
care must be included in Medi-Cal reform; and meeting on a regular
basis with representatives of the State Department of Licensing
and Certification. Mr. Finucane also advised that a meeting was
being held with Medical Holding Company to discuss construction of
a Medi-Cal geriatric care facility.
Supervisor Nancy Fanden commented on the critical need
for immediate action, and suggested that a Request for Proposal
(RFP) be developed to determine whether there may be other
developers interested in participating in a joint project with the
County; requested that letters be prepared on behalf of the Board
to Congressmen George Miller, Pete Stark and Ron Dellums
expressing the Board' s concerns about the long-term care issues;
and suggested that a Workfare Program training program be
established to train people to work in nursing homes. She also
noted that there are approximately 3 ,000 family members of
geriatric patients in Contra Costa County, and suggested that a
questionnaire be developed seeking input from those family members
on their view of the problems and needs.
Board members being in agreement, IT IS BY THE BOARD
ORDERED that the recommendations of the Health Services Director
relating to a program for geriatric care in Contra Costa County
are APPROVED in concept.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Health Services Director
is REQUESTED to review the feasibility of issuing a Request for
Proposal (RFP) to determine possible interest among developers in
cooperating with the County on construction of geriatric
facilities.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Health Services Director
is REQUESTED to prepare letters to be sent on behalf of the Board
urging the County' s Federal legislative delegation to support
long-term geriatric care programs.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that staff is REQUESTED to review
the feasibility of establishing a nursing home care training
program within the Workfare Program.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Health Services Director
is REQUESTED to work with the Area Council on Aging to develop a
questionnaire to be sent to families of nursing home residents in
the County seeking their input on problems and needs of the
geriatric patients and their family members.
cc: Health Services Director
Social Services Director
Community Development Director
office on Aging
County Administrator
hereby certify that this is a true nnd-,±rrsct ro pi„f
an action t7�:on anu, on,o e
ATTESTED:
PENLD
and
1l fwi:•t'.•e.n
ly
By , Deputy