I have seen elderly neglect firsthand while working at Heritage Manor Nursing Home.

During my three years employed there, I’ve developed a new perspective on human rights for the retired citizens who depend on strangers for life’s necessities.

While Charleston has six assisted living centers that seem to operate quite nicely, we still need to pay more attention to those forgotten members of the community and provide them with companionship during their years of vulnerability.

According to the United States Census Bureau, 9.7 percent of the Charleston’s population is 65 and older.

Eastern’s student inhabitance of about 11,000 students vastly out-populates the elderly residents, and we have no excuses for not building stronger community relations.

I have seen how some of these places operate. I have seen the looks on the resident’s faces when they are ignored by not only the nurses and certified nursing assistants, but by their own families.

Eastern’s student body could easily spend a few hours a week letting a resident simply talk, about their grandchildren or the jobs they retired from.

For the residents, knowing someone cares means the world to them.

I have seen CNAs completely disregard residents’ requests for help with daily tasks.

I was not the model worker either, but I always made a conscious effort to do what I thought was best for the residents. I grew close with some of the residents and even became friends with a select few. I would cry when I found out they didn’t make it through the night.

I worked in a position where I could get to know the residents personally. Being that close to someone and seeing an incident of mistreatment happen puts me in disbelief.

Not all of the nurses and CNAs ignore the needs of the residents. There are some who are in the profession for the right reasons and for the best interest of the residents.

My own mother has worked in a nursing home for about 15 years and, from what I have seen, she is very good at what she does, along with many others. But there are the few people who give nurses and CNA’s a bad name.

I encountered people who convey stereotypes about nursing homes being horrible places to live and who consequently look down on all the employees.

I always try to help when help was needed, but caring for another is more difficult than many people think.

My line of work is depressing and upon visiting me at work, many friends and family of mine become astonished at what the homes are like.

After working in a nursing home, I have to admit that I would never want to live in one and I don’t want to put any family members in one either.

I am still a part of Heritage, even though I am disgusted by many of the acts that happen.

I am also searching for a job in another nursing home so that I can ensure that I do what I can to help.

Be a volunteer and help me make their retirement a relaxing, safe and enjoyable time of their lives.

Ashlei Maltman can be reached at 581-7942 or at anmaltman@eiu.edu.