Readers write (July 30): Nursing homes, pedestrian safety, synthetic drugs, marriage amendment

Deb Holtz, the state's ombudsman for long-term care, has some of it right ("Nursing home stay an eye-opener," July 26). Having worked in the nursing home or long-term care areas for many years, I empathized with the loss of dignity and at times impersonal care provided to residents. But given the limited resources provided to these facilities, I cannot see how the many dedicated caregivers could do any better.

Perhaps if the owners of long-term care facilities were given some of those fantastic tax incentives provided to the oil industry in order to upgrade aging facilities, increase salaries and increase staff, they could address the issues mentioned by Holtz.

DORY LIDINSKY, HAM LAKE, MINN.

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As a recently discharged "resident inpatient" inmate from one of our area's better health centers, I would observe that nursing homes are masquerading as physical-rehabilitation centers. But purporting to service two entirely different demographic needs -- physical and mental disabilities -- is a marketing charade of denial. Had Holtz stayed for a month or more, she could have written a book filled with an even greater array of personal experiences.

CAROLYN EGAN, WAYZATA

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The story used a broad brush in describing nursing homes. Holtz reported that her father had had a good experience at Langton Place in Roseville. No details of that positive stay were given. Rather, the focus was negative. Holtz was troubled about not being greeted and complained about a skin assessment.

Really? No one greeted her? She just found a room on her own, decided it looked like a nice bed and sat down there? I find that difficult to believe. As for a skin assessment, what if she had fallen during her stay? The prefall skin assessment would help in determining injuries sustained and treatment options.

Few people enjoy the exposures involved in health care. To consider them "violations," however, is harsh and inflammatory.

The final paragraph of the article stated, "Holtz credited the facility with being responsive to her concerns." That was the appropriate way to resolve her issues, not publishing five columns of one-sided newsprint to alarm the public.

According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services web site, there are 396 nursing facilities in Minnesota, with 33,878 beds available. This article leaves the reader thinking that horrors abound in all of these settings. That has not been my observation or experience, and I would need many more than five columns to share the positive stories of nursing home care.

JEANNE LINTNER, NORTH ST. PAUL

After reading about the tragic death of 4-year old A.J. Nelson because his mother was jaywalking, I felt compelled to relay an incident that my husband and I witnessed recently at the start of rush hour ("Jaywalking mother whose child was killed is granted probation," July 27). We were traveling east on busy Minnetonka Boulevard near Hwy. 101 when we observed a father holding a toddler in one arm and hanging on to a second child. He was standing in the middle of the road near a turn lane attempting to cross the road against busy traffic.

A woman at the side of the road, who I'm assuming was his spouse or partner, was also about to cross against traffic with another child in her arms. We were shocked that anyone would endanger children in this way when a traffic light was available at the intersection only a few steps away. In my opinion, the only difference between A.J.'s mother and these parents is that their children did not senselessly die due to bad judgment.

CHRISTI BYSTEDT, Wayzata

Your recent report on the dangers inherent in synthetic drugs was an excellent example of strong investigative reporting ("New drugs fuel a wave of violence and death," July 24). Also, I appreciate your efforts to expose half truths and lies that, unfortunately, are now so much a part of political campaigns. I expect my newspaper to unearth information I can't access easily on my own. When a politician plays fast and loose with the facts, I want to know it. Keep up the good work.

CAROL HOBART, BLOOMINGTON

Gary Gimmestad correctly identified the proposed 2012 discriminatory marriage amendment to the state Constitution as bullying ("Homophobia is on the rise in Minnesota. Wonder why?," July 24). This amendment wouldn't prevent people of the same sex from loving each other and devoting their lives to one another. It would only deprive people of their legal rights, make it more difficult for them to care for each other and their children, and create a hostile environment where some people will feel justified in expressing themselves violently. Minnesotans, we need to stand together against the bullies.

KELLY FINNERTY, EDINA