As a former nurse who worked in a rehabilitation and long-term care nursing home, I have witnessed firsthand the shocking conditions that patients have to endure. Nurses are stretched thin, with a care ratio of 1:30 patients, while Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) deal with a ratio of 1:15. In such an environment, delivering high standard care becomes an uphill task, increasing the risk of medication errors and compromising the quality of care. It is not just the ratio; these pushing-to-the-brink conditions include a chronic shortage of towels, bed sheets, pillowcases, and essential items like body wash and shampoo.

Statistics show that higher staffing levels in nursing homes lead to better patient outcomes. Nonetheless, nursing home operators are aware of what's ongoing but are often slow to implement changes. The inaccessibility of these basic necessities, kept under lock and key, also raises a question on safety and appropriate care.

Preserving the dignity and ensuring the safety of our elderly population should be prioritized. I ask Congress to enact measures to ensure appropriate staffing levels in nursing care facilities, mandating at least a minimum standard that guarantees safe and high-quality care. Moreover, a obligation to provide accessibility to basic necessities should be also considered. Our loved ones deserve care, comfort, and respect in their twilight years. I urge you to sign this petition to bring this urgent and serious issue into the light, thereby instigating a much-needed change.