Veterans nursing home leaving troubles behind

Jeffrey Libby

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2002 | 11:11 a.m.

Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Robert Tilton arrived at his new home around noon Monday in a Mexican dress shirt and black tasseled loafers, a cane in one hand, a wheeled oxygen tank in the other.

Just a few steps into the lobby of the Southern Nevada Veterans Nursing Home, the residence he'd waited four months to enter, he was gingerly, but firmly, correcting a Mexican nursing aide's Spanish grammar.

Tilton, 73, who sold his Las Vegas home and gave up his two cats, Paco and Chelana, brought earphones to listen to ranchero music and a cherished tan corduroy recliner. Once he settles in, he said he plans to give more formal Spanish lessons, if there is interest.

Tilton and another veteran were the first admissions to the state veterans nursing home since the initial six residents moved in last August.

Like most veterans in Nevada, Tilton heard through friends about construction delays at the home and about the resignations of the home's first two directors within the past month. Both former directors blame state officials who they say were unfamiliar with the demands of opening a long-term nursing facility.

But Chuck Fulkerson, executive director of the state Office of Veterans' Services, nursing home staffers, even former director Jon Sias say the worst of the controversies are probably over. Some have more lingering concerns than others, but everyone seems to agree that by this time next year the home should be operating at full capacity, with 180 residents and 205 staff. Already, residents who first fought the idea of leaving their own homes, are finding they are comfortable in state hands, even if most will have roommates separated by only a vinyl curtain.

"I have lived with people my entire life. Aboard ship we're taking 350 people," said Tilton. As for lunch, it was delicious, he said. He had no complaints, none whatsover.

But even as Tilton talked, out in the hallway crews were repairing interior walls damaged by a burst hot water pipe and installing new strips of linoleum in a sitting area where the plastic flooring had buckled.

It was new evidence of the shoddy workmanship that stretched an 11-month building project closer to three years despite state oversight, according to Sias. Costs went $1 million over the $19 million budget and contractors are still in court with the state. "The ineptitude, the absolute bungling of the state Public Works Department was absolutely legendary," said Sias, who resigned under pressure Sept. 5.

Sias and Ray Heath, the interim director who resigned last week, said Fulkerson has been more committed to state officials in Carson City than to staff and residents at the nursing home.

Still, Sias said, "All of the problems are pretty much behind us."

Fulkerson, for his part, said, "The state never had a nursing home they had run before, or built or equipped. A lot of new things were required of state departments that had never been required before. But at this point, the outlook of the home is outstanding."

Tom Feeback, a licensed long-term care administrator with 18 years experience managing facilities in Montana and Texas, has been running the home since Heath resigned. He will continue as interim director until an ongoing national search nets a permanent director.

The home's electrically adjustable beds, piped oxygen and TVs for every room create a home that will be a showplace for other long-term care facilities to emulate, Feeback said.

Other staff members, such as Mary Pontiff, finance director, have veterans in the family, which has strengthened their commitment to the facility. Her parents, recently deceased, were both candidates for the home. Her husband and a son serve in the military.

"Our prior director (Sias) encouraged us to become involved with the residents. It gives us more of a sense of purpose," she said. "So we've gotten kind of fond of them. We spoil them."

Retired Coast Guard engineer Joe "Zox" Bodnar has taken to the spoiling since he arrived from his Las Vegas condominium in mid-August.

Each day Bodnar, 84, walks on a gym treadmill then bikes for a while while a nursing aide keeps watch. His sight is failing.

Over lunch Monday of barbecued chicken, corn and cherry pie Bodnar talked with an old shipmate friend visiting from the Chief Petty Officers Association in Las Vegas.

In the afternoon Bodnar catches some fresh air, has a nap, makes phone calls and listens to ancient history tapes. On field trips to ball games, an aide gives him the play-by-play.

Bodnar says he has no complaints, although he's looking forward to the arrival of another resident or two who served in the "elite class" of the Coast Guard like him.

"No, no complaints. In fact I recommend it. The people are very cordial here," Bodnar said. "It's pretty good. Like Shangri-La or the Taj Mahal."