As healthcare consumers, we rely on the government to protect our loved ones from unscrupulous caregivers. Each year the US Department of Health and Human Services compiles evidence from assisted living facilities across the country. The HHS has recently released its Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report. Think of it as an […]
Your elderly mom probably doesn’t use social media, but what about her caregivers? How do nursing home resident rights come into play online? As we work to prevent elder abuse in nursing homes, physical harm is the first thing on our minds. But virtual abuse and exploitation can also be devastating. Advocates have been […]
Yet another voice has joined the chorus of consumer advocates, lawyers, and journalists calling for a ban on forced arbitration in nursing home contracts. The editorial board of the New York Times has published a piece titled “Nursing Home Residents Still Vulnerable to Abuse.” In the article, the well-respected paper calls for an all-out ban […]
I am taking a detour from one of our regular topics of nursing negligence in long-term care to comment on an interesting news item about nursing home costs. It probably is no surprise that the cost of long-term care is on the rise, but the numbers might surprise you. It might be cheaper to check […]
Traditional efforts to prevent nursing home abuse have focused on the nursing staff. Lawmakers have considered reforming all kinds of staffing practices, from background checks and training to data collection. But a new study finds that we should be just as concerned about elder abuse by roommates and neighbors. At least one in five seniors […]
It’s an act of trust to place the care of your loved one in others’ hands. When you’re evaluating nursing home care quality, does it matter whether the facility is a for-profit or non-profit facility? Yes it does, and that is a fact! The Center for Medicare Advocacy reports that ownership structure makes a big […]
The ability to lodge a complaint, either publicly or anonymously, feels like an important part of our society. Maybe you’ve left a negative review online for a restaurant in hopes of a future improvement in service. Or maybe you’ve written an anonymous letter to the editor that would make you unpopular with your neighbors. But […]
If a nursing home doesn’t have enough nurses and aides to provide basic care, such as bathing and turning to prevent pressure ulcers, then residents suffer. It’s a simple truth. This isn’t a new concept. But one state has found a novel way to hold a large nursing home chain responsible. The state has taken […]
Choosing a nursing home for an elderly loved one is a tough process full of big decisions for your whole family. From my professional perspective in both nursing and law, here are the top three considerations that can help you make the right choice: 1. Research the facility’s reputation Your very first stop, in my […]
When you entrust your loved ones to caregivers, how can you know whether they’re in safe hands? There’s no way to be sure unless the nursing home followed both state and federal law and conducted caregiver criminal history checks when hiring new nurses and aides. The Importance of Background Checks Our elderly — especially […]