Nednesday, September 27, 1978
University Daily Kansan
Turnover rate high for aides at homes
Convalescent homes in Lawrence have a high turnover rate of nurse's aides, probably because of student employees and the minimum age requirement. The administrator of Douglas County's
Valleyview Care Home, 2518 Ride Court,
however, is planning a study to help show
the need to pay beginning aides more and
therefore employ them longer.
oretore employ their righthand Kathy Smith, administrator for the
Sponsored by the Commission on the Status of Women Partially funded by the Student Activities Fee
county-operated home, said yesterday that the turnover rate at Valleyview was high.
"The turnover really is bad," she said. "The average turnover rate is about four or five a month and August is the worst month because employees who are students return."
Vaillieu pays inexperienced help minimum wage, $2.65 an hour, the same rate that most convalescent homes in Lawrence pay.
"BECAUSE WE are the only county department that directly competes with private businesses, we can't pay our help any more than the other care homes.
There are eight convalescent homes in Douglas County, six in Lawrence.
Phone calls to the six Lawrence homes found that four homes paid inexperienced nurse's aides a beginning wage of $2.65 an hour.
But the director of one home, Cherry
Wakarausma 1800, *W 2th S.N.*, pays its new help at a wage slightly more than minimum wage, according to the home's accrual. The wages are lower. The wage for beginning aides varies.
Manor, 3015 W. 31st St. was on vacation and I would not answer questions about the home.
**SMITH SAID** she planned to approach the administrators of the other care homes with the results of a turnover study she was concerned about, and to get them to raise the *e* beginner wage.
All of the convalescent homes contacted in Lawrence reported that employees turnover was high.
Smith said all the local homes had turnover problems. She said the study would inform her about the local housing situation.
If the other homes raise beginning wages, it would allow a raise for employees at Valleyview, if approved by the Douglas County Commission.
She said orientation for new aides costs $50 a day. Uniform fees and overtime pay for employees who remain when others quit also increases the cost of a high employee position.
Drive, said training new employees was a bit expense for Presbyterian Manor.
She said nurse's aides were required to go through 90 hours of training to become a certified nurse's aide. Five of the home's 30-member staff quit in August.
employees could cost at least $1,000 a year.
That was applied to higher, higher-
cost employees.
All of the five Lawrence convalescent home officials contacted by phone said the turnover probably was higher because Lawrence was a university town.
Cold Kegs
The extra lane will run from Stratford Road north to near Sixth Street. The city hopes to expand the lane south to University Drive in the future.
Vallevine was built in 1961 by Douglas County, but it was managed by a private firm.
Lawrence City Commissioners last night unanimously approved a street project to build a continuous left turn lane on Iowa Street.
Holiday Plaza 21O4 W. 25
842-4499
HOWEVER, SYVIL GREY, administrator of the Eudora Nursing Center, Eudora, the turnover there was not a problem.
Ken Falley, administrator for the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, 1421 Kasold
On Jan. 1, 1977, the county assumed responsibility for the management of Valleyview. Smith has been the administrator since the county took over.
"Turnover here is not a major factor in our personnel," Grey said. "Most of our girls are from Eubene that I have worked with us when the home opened three and a half years ago."
City to build left turn lane on Iowa Street
The care rates for Valleyview, which because effective on Feb. 1, are $100 a month for a four-bed room, $250 a month for a two-room and $300 a month for a private room.
She said that because the county took care of the maintenance for Valleyview, the home could offer convalescent care for $200 a month less than the other area homes.
If you have that feeling, you’re in luck. Air Force ROTC飞乘 Instruction Program (FIP) is available to teach you the basics of flight through flight lessons in small aircraft at a civilian operated training school.
This is all reserved for the cadel who wants to get his helicopter ground, with Air Force silver pilot wings. Check it out.
The program is an EXTRA for cadets who can qualify to become Air Force pilots in Air Force ROTC. Token during the senior year in college, FIP is the first step for the cadet who is going on to Air Force jet pilot training.
Face it ... you've always wanted to fly! Many of us have had the feeling ... and for some it has never gone away
FRESHMEN & OPHOMORES:
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AIR FORCE
ROTC Gateway to a great way of life.
The new lane will be in the center of the street, similar to the left turn lane on 23rd Street and will be built by expanding Iowa Street five and a half feet on both sides.
Buford Watson, city manager, paid the 70 commissioners the money for $390,000 and $800,000 per year.
The city will pay for the rest of the project and to hire engineering, which Watson said is one of its priorities.
THE COMMISSIONERS said they approved the idea because of current problems with heavy traffic on Iowa Street.
Mike Wildgen, assistant city manager,
said the engineering could be done in two
or three months, but construction probably
would continue because of the upcoming winter weather.
The project could be completed by the end of next year, Wildgen said.
In other business, the commissioners approved first reading of an ordinance that would require landlords to inform their tenants that rented property was in a flood plain district or other previously flooded areas.
There are two floodplain districts in the city. East Yankee Tank and the Naisuthmille
THE PROPOSED ordinance is the result of the commissioners' concern for tenants who rented in a flood plain area and were not protected against property damages by the ordinance.
The commissioners said they thought it was the responsibility of a landlord to inform renters that they were renting in a building that had been damaged by the loss of personal property was available.
The final reading will be during the next meeting.
The commissioners also set their goals for the rest of the year.
In one proposal, Clark suggested commissioners make a list of priorities of street improvements. He said he was concerned about the possibility of increased traffic on city streets.
Clark also said he was interested in the possibility of a city bypass to divert incoming westbound traffic south and connect it with Clinton Parkway west of the city.
The commissioners also directed Commissioner Jack Rose to develop plans for a public contest to select an inscription for the new city hall.
Student Organizations!
If you're funded by the Student Senate, your treasurer must attend the
Treasurers Training Session Wednesday, Sept. 27
7 p.m., International Room
Paid For By Student Activity Fees
- You must do this before you can use your money.
23rd ST. SUB SHOP OPEN til 2 A.M. (across from Wendy's)
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