NURSING HOME LIVES MATTER

#NHLM fights for a healthcare system that protects, respects and cares for all those living and working in long-term care, especially Black and brown people.

In March 2020, we, the Reality Poets, fought to protect the lives of residents and staff in our NYC nursing home who were put in harm’s way by the racist and ableist decisions made by the higher powers. Today, we lead the fight for residents and staff in all facilities.

It is our goal to not just take policy, but eventually to make policy.

#NURSINGHOMELIVESMATTER BILL OF RIGHTS
The following are rights that we demand be restored and/or newly instated for the well being of people who live and work in nursing homes.

We imagine long-term care where…

• Each person is treated as an individual, and we’re not all lumped together in the same box where the assumption is everyone is elderly and a nursing home is our last stop. For some of us we have a lot more to see and do, while others have led full unique lives that should be honored and celebrated.
  
  
• Administrators come out of their offices and work at least one day on the units so they can see what’s going on--how difficult it is when they give one nursing assistant 40 residents to care for and how important our individual needs are.
• The state does not give advance warning ahead of inspections, so nursing homes follow all proper, respectful, safe protocols at all times – not just during the lead-up to an upcoming evaluation.
  
  
• Residents are served delicious nourishing meals, not overcooked tasteless food that looks worse than what they serve in Rikers.
  
  
• Residents have 24/7 access to reliable fast wifi to connect with loved ones, view entertainment, and further our education and careers.
  
  
• Disability justice training is required for all staff.
  
  
• All staff receive a decent wage that they can support their families on and that reflects the dignity and importance of their work.
  
  
• Bring the love back to nursing – administrators must acknowledge and provide support to how nursing staff were put in danger during this pandemic, which caused so many to abandon the field, leaving us residents behind.
  
  
• There are safe staffing ratios so that no resident is ever left in bed ringing the bell for hours unable to go see family and/or in danger of developing deadly sores.
  
  
• Residents are informed immediately and clearly of all rules that affect us and we are included in all decision-making processes.
  
  
• Families are never locked out again no matter the circumstances; they should always be allowed to follow the same safety protocols of staff to enter facilities and visit their loved ones.
  
  
• Residents have resources and opportunity to develop our spiritual, recreational, creative and professional lives, and not warehoused like we are now.

Will you support us in the fight for a healthcare system that protects, respects and cares for the individuals that live and work in facilities, especially Black and brown people?