Advocacy Through Legislation: Neglect and Poor Care Services for Older Adults

Advocacy Through Legislation Identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity to be advocated through legislation. Research the issue and complete the sections below. For each topic that requires the listing of criteria, a minimum of two criteria should be identified and discussed. Add more rows as is appropriate for the topic/proposal.ProblemIn no more than 250 words, describe the problem, who is affected, and the current ramifications. Explain the consequences if the issue continues.Neglect and poor care services for older adults in California nursing homes are commonplace. Trends reveal that concerning healthcare outcomes illustrate a worrying situation compounded by diverse nursing and health-related shortcomings. For instance, Harrington et al. (2020) indicate that California’s nursing staffing issues, resource distribution, and work-related burnouts significantly impact the quality of treatment in these nursing facilities. Mendelson and Yu (2021) also reveal that existing laws present loopholes that allow nursing home owners denied running these services to continue offering them despite their inability to meet minimum standards. As a result, a significant proportion of older people living in these facilities are exposed to increased vulnerability and neglect that cause up to 60% of all the harm they encounter (Ogletree et al. (2020). Such a problem stretches the healthcare personnel and state resources for caring for this population, considering California has 1,200 facilities caring for over 100,000 individuals (Mendelson & Yu, 2021). The consequence is that nurses suffer from tainted reputations due to the reported poor services. They also endure burnout when handling emerging morbidity rates related to poor services (Harrington et al., 2020). Thus, if this issue continues elderly population will suffer from a higher disease burden and diminished quality of life while the healthcare system faces a resource crunch. Idea for Addressing SolutionIn no more than 250 words, outline your idea for addressing the issue and explain why legislation is the best course for advocacy.The uniqueness facing nursing homes in California requires concerted efforts supported by appropriate legislation. Harrington et al. (2020) illustrate that the state has tackled diverse nursing-related issues by instituting targeted laws that streamline practice, licensing, resource use, and other aspects of the industry. The achievements reveal that adopting a similar approach offers a long-term solution that will significantly transform the quality of care in nursing homes. In this context, representatives need to understand the contextual aspects of this problem and its magnitude to formulate legislation addressing the multifaceted issues leading to neglect and poor care services in these facilities. For instance, Mendelson and Yu (2021) provide case studies that unearth the ills in California institutions and illustrate that the nature of the problem requires regulatory intervention to overcome the unscrupulous tactics used by homeowners, improve staffing needs, and allocate sufficient resources. Nurses can facilitate this process by writing detailed policy briefs to highlight the problem and inform the need for policy changes. Thus, this approach is the best course for advocacy for long-term and sustainable solutions. Research the IssuePerform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for addressing the problem (studies, research, and reports). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states.Evidence 1 The federal government requires nursing homes to meet certain quality requirements. Harrington et al. (2020) reveal that the government formulated laws in 2016 for all facilities to identify the workforce and resources fundamental for providing optimum care for the residents. This assessment is akin to strategic planning and should occur annually. Such a trend illustrates the importance of formulating state-wide legislation guiding nursing facilities to overcome neglect and poor care services. Evidence 2 Since issues such as staffing contribute to the quality of care and neglect, nurses can improve staffing issues through policy change. The federal administration requires all nursing homes in the United States to employ sufficient registered nurses and other professionals to care for older adults throughout the day. Although California has a staffing ratio law, Harrington et al. (2020) indicate that standards remain below the expected levels, indicating the need for targeted legislation. Illinois has equivalent legislation, “the payment reform bill,” targeting quality improvements in the state (Hancock, 2022). Thus, a similar approach that improves the Californian system will significantly impact nursing facilities.  Stakeholder SupportDiscuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support.Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1