Roundtable in Kingston focuses on home health care issues

KINGSTON — Gerard Stevenson, a Certified Nursing Assistant for Bayada Home Health Care, sat next to his client, William Bezdziecki of Kingston, at Tuesday’s Hearts for Home Care roundtable discussion on several issues and challenges faced every day.

And it’s a good thing they were there.

Stevenson and Bezdziecki offered testimony to the panel that included Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township, and Mark Grochowski, representing Sen. Lisa Baker, along with home health care professionals who face those challenges every day and are concerned about the future. Laura Ness, deputy executive director for Hearts for Home Care, moderated the roundtable.

The community roundtable discussion was hosted by Hearts for Home Care at the Kingston VFW on Wyoming Avenue. The event brought together state legislators, home care families and health care professionals to discuss the growing challenges in home care — including workforce shortages and funding gaps — and to explore legislative solutions.

“Our communities and our residents deserve to have choices,” Rep. Pugh said. “Allowing people to stay in the comfort of their homes is an option everyone should have. Children who require additional assistance deserve to receive an education. We understand that facilities are a necessity and appreciate everything they have to offer; however, there also needs to be options for those that want to stay in their homes.”

During the roundtable, Pugh said she listened to the concerns of front-line care workers, specifically on the issues of low reimbursement rates and fair compensation.

“I appreciate the hard work these care workers give every day,” Pugh said.

But it was Stevenson and Bezdziecki who brought the issues out in a very personal manner.

“Without the care I receive, I’d be lost,” said Bezdziecki, 30, who has been a quadriplegic since age 14. “I need assistance for everything I do — showering, getting dressed, transferring. If I didn’t have home care, I have no idea what I would do.”

Bezdziecki said Stevenson has been his caregiver for much longer than previous caregivers, who he said were changing weekly.

“It was horrible,” Bezdziecki said. “Every time a new person came in, they would have to learn everything about me, and that takes time to get it all right.”

Stevenson agreed, adding, “Every time the learning process has to start over. The caregiver has to learn everything about the client — what their likes and dislikes are, what meds to take and when, if they have any wounds that need to be addressed, where they keep their stuff, what they enjoy. There’s a lot to learn.”