Texas
Texas’ nursing homes are missing something: nurses
![Texas’ nursing homes are missing something: nurses](https://thumbnails.texastribune.org/AdLpwg3IuWquQmmqZERULjwtVGw=/1200x630/filters:quality(95)/static.texastribune.org/media/files/571065bdd8ecebcf232663ad9553979c/1031%20Carillon%20Living%20MR%20TT%2005.jpg)
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LUBBOCK — Robert Lozoya began a latest shift as a nurse supervisor for Carillon, Lubbock’s greatest senior house, at 7 a.m.
For the following 12 hours, he triaged his duties, selecting up the slack for the nurses who didn’t present up for work. He made certain sufferers didn’t choke on their lunch, handled wounds and fielded a myriad of calls to docs, households and pharmacies.
By the point Lozoya left, effectively after 7 p.m., he was exhausted. And he knew tomorrow could be extra of the identical. He and his group will modify to being understaffed, as they’ve had to take action typically in recent times.
“We’ll do it a technique or one other,” Lozoya stated. “We’ve labored it out up to now, so it’s been OK, it simply hasn’t been supreme.”
Texas doesn’t have sufficient nurses for its senior care amenities. The scarcity is fueled by a lot of components. There’s a rising apathy burning by way of the nursing trade, and the COVID-19 pandemic solely fanned the flames. Child boomers are each retiring from the nursing occupation and needing care themselves. Nursing properties have been hit notably onerous by this disaster attributable to monetary constraints and medical college students wanting jobs in additional prestigious fields.
Within the backdrop of the staffing disaster is one other troubling development in Texas: Nursing properties are closing. A report from Texas Well being and Human Companies exhibits that from 2018-22, no less than 60 nursing amenities within the state — 2% — have misplaced the battle to inflation, low Medicaid reimbursement charges and different monetary burdens.
For Texas elders and their households, the dearth of recent well being care professionals in getting old populations is dire. At finest, they’re ready longer to seek out beds and paying extra after they do. At worst, they’re abandoned, pressured to navigate their final years with out the type of assist an getting old facility can present.
“We’ve seen over time that people are sicker by the point they get in assisted dwelling and wish a better stage of care, and suppliers don’t have the skilled employees to take that sort of affected person in,” stated Kevin Warren, president of the Texas Well being Care Affiliation.
Discovering a house the place elders can reside out their lives safely and with dignity is hardest for households that reside within the empty stretches of rural Texas. Practically two-thirds of the nursing properties which have closed since 2018 have been in rural areas. And 7 have been within the Excessive Plains, the area that stretches from Lubbock to the highest of the Panhandle.
“In rural areas, it’s frequent for the following closest nursing house to be 30 miles away or farther,” stated Alyse Meyer with LeadingAge Texas, an advocacy group that works with 200 aging-service suppliers throughout the state. “There are different components which can be vital to households when pressured to decide on a brand new nursing house for his or her liked one.”
A pricey short-term resolution
Carillon is essentially the most adorned nursing house in Lubbock — a essential piece within the metropolis’s declare as a medical hub, which pulls sufferers from all around the area. However for all of Carillon’s accolades, it has not been capable of appeal to sufficient employees.
“It’s the worst that I’ve seen it so far as staffing goes,” stated Pamela Roddy, govt director at Carillon. “It’s wonderful to me that we will keep afloat, however we’ve got individuals selecting up additional shifts.”
LVN Robert Lozoya on the Lubbock nursing house the place he works on Oct. 31, 2022. First: From left, Claudia Cera and Jo Ann Cisneros, each licensed nursing assistants, discuss with Lozoya at Carillon’s accelerated rehab division. The senior heart is understaffed, and Lozoya stated of hiring touring nurses at greater pay charges: “It’s such as you put a Band-Help right here, however you continue to have a bleed there.”
Credit score:
Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune
In contrast with 2019, there’s an 18% lower in registered nurses employed in Texas nursing amenities, in keeping with information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The nursing scarcity has pressured some amenities to disclaim sufferers from hospital discharges, Warren stated, which causes a ripple impact.
“That places strain on the hospitals, and it provides stress to the household attempting to determine the place to take their liked one,” stated Warren, president of the well being care affiliation.
Confronted with shortages, amenities typically rent momentary journey nurses by way of companies, paying no less than 50% extra per hour than their full-time employees.
The usage of touring nurses might be fraught for employees morale. The pay discrepancy prompted rigidity among the many employees at Carillon. Some questioned why cash could possibly be spent on company nurses who receives a commission $45 an hour or extra, however not on raises for normal workers.
“I promise them it’s as a result of companies are a short-term deal, it’s not endlessly,” Lozoya defined. “But when we use them, we will open more room. It’s such as you put a Band-Help right here, however you continue to have a bleed there.”
Meyer, vice chairman of advocacy at LeadingAge Texas, stated nearly all of its members have needed to take care of elevated prices amid the scarcity.
Oftentimes, company nurses are drawn from long-term care, enticed by guarantees of journey, greater pay and shorter weeks — a seductive way of life that almost all nursing properties can’t compete with.
“They value extra for the nursing amenities, typically two or thrice greater than what they might pay a full-time nurse,” Meyer stated. “On high of that, it impacts resident care as a result of nurses are coming out and in, however that is their house.”
Glamour and cash maintain nurses away
What considerations Tara Strawn, the nursing program director at South Plains Faculty in Levelland, is that there are few new nurses arising who may sometime ease the pressure. She sees nurses construct their careers from the bottom up, and she or he stated they’re not going to nursing properties for a easy motive: They need what they see on TV.
Whereas nursing properties is probably not thought-about glamorous sufficient for a younger scholar’s “Gray’s Anatomy”-esque fantasies, working within the emergency rooms or the intensive care unit might reside as much as expectations.
“These areas don’t have as large of a deficit as a result of that’s the place all of them wish to work,” Strawn stated.
She wish to see the state develop a path for scholar mortgage forgiveness that encourages nursing college students, which might assist the dire scenario. 4 different states — Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Oregon — supply state-funded forgiveness for medical college students.
“We should be investing in our younger individuals so that they’ll wish to change into nurses and since they’ve a coronary heart for it,” Strawn stated.
However a part of what’s holding college students away from the occupation is what’s pulling nurses away from amenities now — cash. About 62% of Texas nursing house residents depend on Medicaid to pay for his or her providers, however amenities don’t get sufficient from Medicaid to remain afloat for lengthy.
“Texas is in a troublesome place as a result of traditionally, we’ve had actually low Medicaid reimbursement charges,” stated Meyer, with LeadingAge Texas. “The monetary constraints are compounded, so you’ll be able to’t actually have a dialog about fixing the staffing shortages with out speaking about reimbursement.”
Meyer stated many nursing amenities in rural Texas can’t afford to compete with extra metropolitan areas that pay extra. Till they’ll get assist balancing the books, the scarcity will proceed to be an issue.
“It’s going to be an uphill battle for us,” Meyer stated. “It’s going to be troublesome to draw nurses particularly as a result of there are such a lot of choices, and people choices, 9 instances out of 10, will supply greater pay than nursing amenities.”
Disclosure: LeadingAge Texas and Texas Well being Care Affiliation have been monetary supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan information group that’s funded partly by donations from members, foundations and company sponsors. Monetary supporters play no function within the Tribune’s journalism. Discover a full listing of them right here.
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Texas
2025 4-Star OT Lamont Rogers Commits to Missouri over Texas
![2025 4-Star OT Lamont Rogers Commits to Missouri over Texas](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1694,h_952,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/longhorns_country/01j249b5w68xp7dn64bz.png)
The Texas Longhorns are looking to bolster their o-line for the future in order to provide necessary protection for quarterbacks Trey Owens, K.J. Lacey and Dia Bell, but they’ll have to search elsewhere after missing out on securing one of the nation’s top offensive tackles.
After losing to Oregon for the privilege to secure a pledge from five-star receiver Dakorien Moore, the Longhorns have also lost the chance at landing the valuable in-state services of four-star offensive tackle Lamont Rogers.
He chose the Missouri Tigers and coach Eli Drinkwitz on Saturday among a final group that also included Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M, announcing his decision on his Instagram.
A Mesquite (Dallas) native, Rogers, who stands about 6-6, 311 pounds is the No. 7 offensive tackle in the country, per 247’s composite rankings.
He took his official visit to Texas on June 14, the same weekend that Moore and a slew of others made a trip to campus. Rogers also officially visited SMU, Mizzou, Florida State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. He fielded offers from other big-name programs like Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and Penn State.
Here’s part of what 247Sports’ scouting report has to say about Rogers:
“Bona fide high-major O-line prospect with tackle traits,” 247Sports writes. “Could become a quality multi-year starter at the P5 level with an NFL Draft ceiling.”
As it stands, the 2025 class features four-star talents like defensive lineman Lance Jackson, linebacker Elijah Barnes, quarterback KJ Lacey, tight end Emaree Winston and running back James Simon. Texas is also awaiting the potential commitments of five-star receivers Kaliq Lockett and Jaime Ffrench along with five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi.
Texas
Beryl moves into the Gulf of Mexico after battering Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, takes aim at Texas
![Beryl moves into the Gulf of Mexico after battering Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, takes aim at Texas](https://image.cnbcfm.com/api/v1/image/108002206-17201982342024-07-05t164349z_197675240_rc2yo8askp52_rtrmadp_0_storm-beryl-mexico.jpeg?v=1720198284&w=1920&h=1080)
Beryl moved into the the Gulf of Mexico Friday and took aim at the south Texas coast after battering Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Texas officials issued disaster declarations and urge coastal residents to prepare as the storm headed their way.
Beryl hit Tulum as a Category 2 hurricane and toppled trees but caused no injuries or deaths before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved across the peninsula. The U.S. National Hurricane Center expects the storm to regain hurricane strength in the warm waters of the Gulf and hit south Texas by late Sunday or early Monday.
Beryl, the earliest storm to develop into a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic, caused at least 11 deaths as it passed through the Caribbean islands earlier in the week.
The storm’s center Friday afternoon was in the Gulf just off Mexico, about 615 miles (995 kilometers) southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas. It was moving west-northwest at 13 mph (about 20 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph), the hurricane center said.
Once in the Gulf, Beryl could regain wind speed of 90 mph (150 kph) before hitting Texas, though it is hard to tell now where it could make landfall, forecasters said. Hurricane watches were in effect from the Rio Grande north, covering most of the Texas coast.
Some Texas counties have already issued voluntary evacuation orders in low-lying areas, and Texas officials urged coastal residents to prepare.
Along the Texas coast in Corpus Christi, city officials announced it had distributed 10,000 sandbags in less than two hours Friday, exhausting its supply.
“This is a determined storm that is still strong,” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said at a news conference.
Patrick issued a pre-emptive disaster declaration for 40 counties that allows state and local authorities to start planning and contracting for response.
Nim Kidd, chief of state emergency operations, said oil companies have started moving employees off rigs along the coast that may be in the path of the storm.
Northeastern Mexico and southern Texas were already soaked by Tropical Storm Alberto just a couple of weeks ago.
Beryl spread destruction in Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados this week. Three people have been reported dead in Grenada, three in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, three in Venezuela and two in Jamaica, officials said.
The head of Mexico’s civil defense agency, Laura Velázquez, said Beryl hadn’t caused any deaths or injuries there and that “damages were minor,” though tens of thousands of people remained without power.
Tulum was plunged into darkness when the storm knocked out power as it came ashore. Screeching winds set off car alarms across the town. Wind and rain continued to whip the seaside city and surrounding areas Friday morning. Army brigades roved the streets of the tourist city, clearing fallen trees and power lines.
After seeing Beryl tear through the Caribbean, 37-year-old Lucía Nagera Balcaza was among those who stocked up on food and hid away in their homes.
“Thank god, we woke up this morning and everything was all right,” she said. “The streets are a disaster, but we’re out here cleaning up.”
Before the storm hit Mexico, official had set up shelters in schools and hotels. When the wind began gusting over Tulum’s beaches Thursday, officials on four-wheelers with megaphones rolled along the sand telling people to leave and authorities evacuated beachside hotels. Sea turtle eggs were even moved off beaches threatened by storm surge.
Tourists also took precautions. Lara Marsters, 54, a therapist visiting Tulum from Boise, Idaho, said she had filled up empty water bottles from the tap.
“We’re going to hunker down and stay safe,” she said.
While many in the Yucatan Peninsula took a deep breath, Jamaica and other islands ravaged by the hurricane were still reeling. As of Friday morning, 55% of Jamaica still without electricity and most of the country was without running water, according to government figures.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness promised swift relief for residents affected by Hurricane Beryl after visiting one of the worst-affected areas of the island, the southern parish of St Elizabeth on Thursday afternoon.
“I know some of you are experiencing discomfort and displacement, and I want to assure you that the government will move as quickly as we can to get you the help you need,” he said.
Earlier in the week, the hurricane damaged or destroyed 95% of homes on a pair of islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, jumbled fishing boats in Barbados and ripped off roofs and knocked out electricity in Jamaica.
On Union Island, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a man who identified himself as Captain Baga described the storm’s impact, including how he had filled two 2,000-gallon (7,570-liter) rubber water tanks in preparation.
“I strapped them down securely on six sides; and I watched the wind lift those tanks and take them away — filled with water,” he said Thursday. “I’m a sailor and I never believed wind could do what I saw it do. If anyone (had) ever told me wind could do that, I would have told them they lie!”
The island was littered with debris from homes that looked like they had exploded.
Texas
LIVE UPDATE: South Texas braces for Tropical Storm Beryl
![LIVE UPDATE: South Texas braces for Tropical Storm Beryl](https://res.cloudinary.com/graham-media-group/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/c_thumb,w_700/v1/media/gmg/N4JG26CPQRB6XH6YA2P65EHWPQ.jpg?_a=ATAPphC0)
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – FRIDAY, JULY 3 – 9 P.M. CT – As Tropical Storm Beryl enters the Gulf of Mexico, the once Category 5 hurricane is expected to re-intensify before making a final landfall along the Texas Gulf Coast.
KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding is LIVE in Corpus Christi, Texas as the community prepares just two weeks after Tropical Storm Alberto battered the region.
While some locals are preparing by using the more than 14,000 sandbags made by Corpus Christi city workers, vacationers to the barrier islands are soaking in every bit of sun they can get.
This story will be updated to bring the latest reports from KPRC2′s Gage Goulding along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
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