Don’t Forget About Good Nursing Homes

* As Carol Ferguson says (Letters, Aug. 22), there are nursing homes that are in the category of terrible and on the border of being totally insensitive to human needs.

On the other hand, there are nursing homes that truly are caring, full-service facilities that meet the need of the resident there for rehabilitation, postoperative care or long-term residency.

I have served and do serve on the Elder Abuse Task Force as well as the Department of Aging of the City of Los Angeles, and I know the excellent job they are doing to monitor the problems that often are part of the skilled nursing facilities.

I urge that those who write about their experiences in places to avoid also do research into the facilities which are sensitive and caring.

I have been a rabbi for 40 years, and I share the frustration of those who are troubled by skilled nursing facilities. I simultaneously am pleased to share that there are outstanding facilities in all parts of the Los Angeles area. There are good options for those who need nursing homes, and such places should not be avoided.

BERNARD M. COHEN

Woodland Hills