Where I Stand -- Mike O'Callaghan: Veteran's northern gem

BOISE, Idaho -- The men and women living in the Idaho State Veterans Home had a busy day Wednesday with physical exercises, arts and crafts, cribbage, Bible study, Vets Band, music, music group, and a movie. The special care unit with Alzheimer's patients also had activities and a movie of their own.

Sunday, when you are reading this column, will be a quiet day with religious services and the usual volunteer and family visits. Tomorrow, Monday, in addition to the activities listed for today there will be bowling and the Old Time Fiddlers. The special care unit will also have storytelling and arts and crafts. During the remainder of this week you can add a cookout in Black Canyon, fishing, sing-a-long, card party, vets cooking, more movies, and music, music, music.

It doesn't take long to understand that Gary Bermeosolo's nursing home operation is outstanding when compared to facilities run by outside contractors. Bermeosolo, a national leader in the care of veterans and the administrator of the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, has visited more than 30 veterans homes over the years and knows what he's talking about. "We, because of good staffing and a large number of volunteers, are better than privatized homes when considering spiritual, social services and recreation activities," he told me.

Bermeosolo's division also includes nursing care homes for veterans in Lewiston and Pocatello. The Boise home, run by David Ricks, provides residential care and domiciliary care in addition to nursing care. Ricks knows his patients and you can sense his pride as he shows a visitor the home and answers probing questions. Unlike the large number of private nursing homes I have visited, there was no smell of urine as we walked down the spotless hallways. Clean, yes, but the atmosphere is also relaxed and friendly and respect for people is apparent.

Jeff Piper, administrator of the Pocatello nursing home, has years of experience in four privately run homes and one county-operated home. He has no doubts about what kind of a nursing home he wants to be in when the time comes. "I'll pick a state-run home because the veterans truly help each other. Their volunteer help is a continual thing and not just at Christmas or other holidays. Also there is much more attention here to the spiritual side of life for the elderly." Volunteers in Pocatello, like Boise, are the ones who show up to take the veterans fishing, to rodeos and other outside activities. There is a requirement that all of the residents in Idaho's veterans homes "get off campus" at least once a month if their health allows them to do so.

Not everybody leaves the homes alive and as the veterans' population continues to age, the average stay has dropped from 4 years to 2 1/2 years. With the average age of the residents now at 80, the Boise home has provided two special hospice rooms for patients and family members wanting to be with them. It's this kind of thinking of administrators Bermeosolo and Ricks that makes Idaho's care for veterans something special.

The staff and volunteers, a majority coming from veterans organizations, make the Boise home a living experience for the residents. For example, there's the annual Veterans Olympics. That's right, they compete by kicking a ball from a wheelchair, casting with a fishing rod, throwing a football, bowling and a typical Idaho sport that includes shooting a potato at a target. All the participants get T-shirts designed by the vets and medals are presented to the first three places by local high school honor society members. Ricks encourages more young volunteers because of the healthy chemistry between them and the aging veterans.

Bermeosolo knows that his homes are exceptional to those run by most private industry groups. He strongly advocates that the state controls administration, food services, general maintenance and nursing and social services. He does have 22 services provided by private businesses which include dental, barber, chaplain, speech therapy, dietary consultation, housekeeping, medical waste disposal, pest and rodent control, pharmacy, specialized maintenance like electrical and plumbing, etc.

Idaho's veterans homes are a special blend of people, skills, and love all bound together in the Gem State's success when "Caring for America's Heroes." If the Silver State wants an example to follow, its governor and legislators only have to look north. Nevada's executive director of Veterans Affairs, Charles Abbott, can show them the way. Abbott, I've learned, when talking with veterans institutions around the country, is also respected and his voice should be heard. It's a shame that he is leaving his position for other opportunities.

Look north, Nevada, look north and learn from our friends who have already traveled down this road serving veterans. They have succeeded and so must we.

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