HHS Will Allow "Feeding Assistants" in Nursing Homes

September 24, 2003
The Department of Health and Human Services is preparing to issue a rule that will allow the use of "feeding assistants" to help relieve a short of help in nursing homes nationwide, The New York Times reported.

The assistants, who will be required to have eight hours of training, will be permitted only to feed residents at mealtimes -- a job that is now normally performed by certified nurse's aides (CNA), who must have 75 hours of training and pass a proficiency exam.

HHS says the rule, expected to be published in a few days, will improve the quality of care by providing additional staffing at busy mealtimes. But patient advocates are objecting to the change.

The relaxation of standards could cause "real harm to nursing home residents," said David M. Certner, director of federal affairs for AARP. Other organizations criticizing the measure included the Alzheimer's Association and the National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, which said the Bush Administration was "trying to address a real problem in a very bad way."

"A 16-year-old feeding assistant, with one day of training and little experience, will not be equipped to deal with your 90-year-old grandmother if she starts to choke or has heart failure," said Janet C. Wells of the nursing home reform coalition.

The American Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes, welcomed the change and said it will be "a major help in addressing the shortage of health-care workers."

It's expected the most of the assistants will be part-time, minimum-wage workers including students, retirees and homemakers. Some nursing homes may also use clerical, laundry and other non-nursing personnel at mealtimes.

HHS says the program has been proven in demonstration projects in Wisconsin and North Dakota.

Critics say nursing homes will use the new rule as an excuse to replace higher-paid CNAs with lower-paid unskilled workers.