I am a retired Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (TRS) from the Iowa Veterans Home. The news of the administration decimating the recreation department is absolutely heartbreaking. The reduction of Rec Therapists to activities assistance is comparable to reducing RNs and LPNs to Certified Nurses’ Aides. Although their jobs are all important, the skills and education needed for the jobs are different.

Ms. Bermudez, the Licensed Nursing Home administrator, has made some economic decisions that have not benefited the staff and residents of the Iowa Veterans home. An administrator must trust in the professional staff they employ and allow them to do their job. Instead, Ms. Bermudez has reduced TRS professional staff, as well as a chaplain, thinking she is saving money but is creating more problems and future costs. Therapeutic recreational specialists are trained to work with teams to make certain that diets are followed, spiritual needs are met, and make our residents comfortable in the place they are now calling home.

It is my understanding that IVH employs a doctor and psychiatrist, both earning over $300k a year, who rarely are physically on the campus. Budgets should reflect the needs of their residents, and the therapeutic recreation therapists are fulfilling the needs with their professional skills.

If the IVH administration is doing such a great job, why don’t you show taxpayers by having an independent survey completed by an outside source addressing fear, retaliation and hostile work environment? At the very least, address how professional staff feel about not being allowed to use their skills.