Letters and comments for April 19, 2011

Care center makes a difference

To the Editor:

My husband, Dave, had a massive stroke in June and spent five months in rehab in Walla Walla. I split my time between home and Walla Walla. It was a difficult situation for him and exhausting for me. Fortunately, we were able to bring him to the Wallowa County Nursing Home.

Those months made me realize how hard it is on families with loved ones in a facility out of the county. Not only is there an emotional burden of not being able to visit as often as you like, there is a financial burden.

I decided to see how much the tax levy would cost me verses travel expenses. The average value of a home in Wallowa County is $213,451 which puts the tax at $147.28 per year (the new levy would be 69 cents per $1,000). In just five months, I drove 20 roundtrips equaling 4,600 miles, which I estimate to be around $895 for gas plus I had to have lodging and meals. Not everyone’s situation is the same, but it wouldn’t take much to surpass the cost of the levy with the cost of gas alone.

If our nursing home closes, most residents will have to be sent out of Wallowa County. It will be a great hardship on residents and families. Having my husband here lets our family see him every day. We spend quality time with him or drop in for a few minutes at different times during the day.

My daughter and I toured other facilities and it only made us more impressed with what we have here. The current staff is by far the best. Let’s not lose them. Another comforting benefit is that Dave can keep the doctor he’s had for many years.

When someone in your family becomes seriously ill, it changes everything. If this happens to you, I hope that you would have a place to keep your family member near you.

I support Measure 32-33 to build a new residential care facility. Please vote yes on this very important measure.

Carolyn Gilbert

Joseph

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