Warren Appleton MD, JD for SJCPHD Prop1 Long-term Care

My Take: A Note on the PHD Long Term Care Proposal

 On November 2nd Voters in the San Juan Public Hospital District#1 will decide whether or not to purchase the Village at the Harbor and oversee its continuing operation…with a major focus on aging at home. How will you vote?

1. My experiences:  I have worked– as a nursing home attendant, NH private care giver, had many relatives need respite, transitional, & long-term care….  and over 51 years as an Emergency Physician, I referred patients to, and received patients from, nursing homes while trying to advance a holistic patient-by-patient approach to aging & illness.  In the main our current system is not efficient, does not meet many patient needs, nor family hopes…. The current system is not user friendly and also $$$$. 

2. Facts:

  • Over 64% of 65+ Americans will require a degree of continuing care in their lifetime, (acl.gov)
  • 2% of all SJC residents are 65+ old, (2019 census.gov)
  • Living on an island makes some ‘mainland’ solutions & tools unavailable to us,
  • The situation will worsen if we don’t act; 10,000 Americans turn 65 EVERY DAY. (2019 Census.gov)
  • Long-term care problems affect patients, their families, caregivers and loved ones.
  • Furthermore, programs that address the aging/living situation are not well coordinated with other programs that try to address this multifaceted issue, resulting in poor resource usage.
  • The answers to this issue will require a unique caringly focused public-private solution.
  • A Coordinated approach is the best value physically, emotionally and dollar-wise for all….

3. Transparent PHD proposal:  Review the PHD Six-year proposal/budget at:   SJCPHD.org/ltc

The PHD initiative and its budget are well detailed in the proposal; Its objective is to co-ordinate best physical & financial practices, leverage existing resources and keep us close to family/community love and touch… so basic to a meaningful life.

It incorporates the needs for the current SJ Island reality of limited transitional/respite care space. It prescribes current best practices, long term planning, and enhanced care co-ordination.

4. Summary: 

 The proposal is a logical central component in the much-needed work toward cost effective holistic aging in place, appropriate and effective home care, and provides resources to reduce the risk of going ‘off island’ to a nursing home………I will be voting YES!!

Please join me in this value-based solution.    VOTE YES on SJCPHD Prop1 Long-term Care

Warren Appleton MD, JD