I worked in a long-term care, for-profit nursing home in New Jersey when I was 14 years old (having lied about my age) and saw some sad things done to residents.

Forty years later, I'm the restorative nurse at a long-term care facility in New York. I started the restorative nursing program three years ago, and some of our residents have excelled beyond our initial expectations. We have done exceptionally well in helping residents who haven't done so in a while to walk, and in anticipating a decline in their health, which has prevented falls and accidents as well as helped them to maintain functional levels.

Yet I still have to check that the nursing staff is doing enough for each resident-and doing it correctly. This article has reminded me to be an advocate for my patients. I hope it's read by caregivers at all levels.

Richard Rygiel, RN

Bath, NY