Working to save nursing home

Dear Ms. Johnston --

Thanks for letting us know what is happening with the Wauneta Nursing Home.

I have several humble suggestions that may or may not assist you in your efforts to help solve the situation. Hopefully others in the Community will also voice their opinions -- we should be able to figure out a way to keep our Seniors close to their family and friends -- we owe them that much.

Legislation was passed last year extending the Research and Development Tax Credits. Many Companies utilize these tax credits to offset costs of developing new technologies, procedures, products, etc. This lowers the tax burden by reducing the taxable income. The USDA as well as the State of Nebraska offer Grants to assist communities with needs such as Wauneta.

Maybe there is an outside chance that some sort of arrangement could be put together that would not only solve the Nursing Home predicament -- but would also provide additional job and learning opportunities for the community.

Vetter Health Services may be interested in taking advantage of the R&D Tax Credits by contributing to a joint effort -- USDA, State, City, County, and Private -- to develop a system that could provide fresh produce to the Wauneta Nursing Home as well as other close communities with similar Nursing Homes. The FFA could be involved which would be a nice fit with our Agriculture Base. The community could also form a Non-Profit and provide the service to the Nursing Home, taking advantage of the additional tax allowances.

The University of Nebraska may also be interested in helping to set up a pilot project such as this and could possibly receive funding for technical assistance, etc.

I would recommend talking with Representative Smith about the R&D Tax Credits -- he has written several articles praising them -- here is an opportunity for him to show us how they can help our small communities survive these financial times.

I would also recommend talking with Senator Nelson about the possibility of the University System providing assistance and expertise -- he seems to be very knowledgeable in this area.

I would also recommend talking with the local FFA to see if they would be interested in participating in such a project. Many of the Schools across the state already have greenhouse facilities which are used as teaching aids for the FFA -- we just need to expand them a little and provide the students with the opportunity to grow the produce for the Seniors in our communities that can longer grow their own garden. Seems like a win-win to me, but I am just a common man.

Don't give up until you explore all the alternatives!!

Best Regards

One of the reasons that care facilities are bogged down in costs are because of all the regulations associated with funding.

Too bad. This is a beautiful facility, and the staff are super.