It is time for the general public and Sun readers to know the facts about “Skilled Nursing” as it has had so much publicity. I am not a hospital board member or paid employee; for 15 years I have been a loyal volunteer and member of the Kern Valley Hospital Auxiliary “pink ladies and blue men.” Many work at our Thrift Store; only a few work in Skilled Nursing. The public has been getting much negative news about one of the cleanest and most attractive long-term facilities in the state.

Residents don’t drop in for a short stay. After review and many requirements, they are admitted, in most instances, for the remainder of their life. If you have been a visitor or walked through with an organization, or are even a member of the elected hospital board, you have not seen the true picture as I have personally observed it for fifteen years.

CEOs come and go, staff workers retire, resign, or decide to move. The residents are not and should not be aware of the ups and downs and politics of managing such a demanding facility. Here is my observation as a non-professional volunteer: Never have I detected an odor nor seen a resident who is not clean, well dressed, and well groomed. The lowest paid and hardest workers are the CNAs. Around 60 residents are bathed, fed, and cared for around the clock. This requires the patience of Job and a perpetual smile and kind voice for hours on end. The RNs and LVNs are the same. As they meet the doctor’s orders, distribute medications and explain things to individuals, they, too, are dedicated and kind.

Here is what you don’t know as a reader of news: Situations change. At admission most arrivals are mentally aware and have arrived due to inability to live alone or be cared for by family due to various diagnoses. Like all of us, they continue to age and in many cases loose control mentally as well as physically. The nice lady that knew me and enjoyed my weekly visit and intelligent conversation is becoming disagreeable and sometimes combative. We do not and can not ask questions but we do observe. Several that I enjoyed visiting are now yelling for no reason and disturbing the others who are enjoying varied activities. I can only imagine what the long nights are like.

A resident admitted for life is not discharged for acquiring dementia, Alzheimer’s, or just the personality change of realizing that death might be welcome.

Please be aware that the meals are outstanding and trays have to be individually set up due to diabetes and innumerable conditions. The kitchen workers are truly amazing and also dedicated. The laundry room is so well run and residents are always clean and well dressed. Very few remain in bed and most are assisted into wheel chairs and encouraged to participate in a variety of activities. Some even enjoy field trips in the bus and many are transported to appointments with dentists, optometrists, and even taken to specialists in Bakersfield.

I feel compelled to write to the community because all that I see is the term “Skilled Nursing” and the negative things that require announcing and correcting. I could write many more pages about the pride I feel that our valley can be proud in not having to take elderly people, who are beyond the very nice nursing homes in our valley because of their medical needs, out of town for care. There is also a super Physical Therapy department right down the hall and a beauty shop where the ladies enjoy a shampoo and set and sometimes a permanent.

I love the statement, “Criticize no one until you walk one week in their shoes.” If you care to run for a job on the much maligned hospital board, volunteer on a regular basis, or just drop in at any hour, your outlook may change from that of just seeing front page news about a few who over-stepped their authority or forgot the oaths of their positions. By the way, elected board members are not required medical degrees nor are they required to spend time in the trenches of Skilled Nursing when two or three residents have lost the mentality to know who they are or where they are and decided to yell and scream for hours. If they were my relatives, and for the sake of the sane residents, I would want them calmed down with a proper medication.

Please take pride in our hospital, emergency facilities, and the unique 60-bed facility, Skilled Nursing Facility, and give it the support and pride that it deserves.

Susan DeLong

Lake Isabella

Geri Adams

Special to the Sun

LAKE ISABELLA, CA … In line with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) direction to monitor the safety of the Lake Isabella Auxiliary Dam on the Kern River Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest, the U. S. Forest Service announced Sept. 22 that the environmental analysis has been completed and the special use permit is being finalized that allows the USACE to start exploratory drilling and trenching operations above and below the Auxiliary Dam on National Forest System land.  The purpose for drilling these holes is to determine the foundation characteristics and depth to bedrock upstream of Auxiliary Dam for the seismic evaluation.

Pending finalization of the special use permit, the USACE will begin drilling a series of 21 holes. Fifteen holes will be below the dam and six will be above the dam. The holes will be 6-8 inches in diameter and 160-250 feet deep. Later this year, the USACE will excavate a trench below the dam approximately 1,500 feet long, five feet wide, and 20 feet deep.  After sampling is completed, USACE will back-fill holes with a cement-grout mix and fill the trench with the soil removed from the trench and use existing vegetation and rice straw to cover disturbed areas.

Drilling above the dam in the Auxiliary Dam Recreation Area could start as early as Oct 5.  This drilling should take six to eight weeks to complete.  The holes will be located within 600 feet of Auxiliary Dam in the area between Borel Canal and State Highway 178.  Each drill site will require an area measuring approximately 100 feet by 50 feet to conduct the drilling and to stage equipment.  Drilling equipment will consist of one ten-wheel truck-mounted drill rig and three support trucks.

District Ranger Rick Larson stated that overnight camping and day use activities will not be affected by the work being done by USACE.  Larson also wants to remind visitors to stay safe while recreating at Auxiliary Dam by keeping clear of the work being done by USACE.