Quality of Care in Nursing Homes-Choose Wisely and Stay Vigilant

NORFOLK, VA, April 28, 2013 (Press-News.org) In April, 2012 a nursing home owner named George Dayln Houser was convicted of fraud because the services provided at his nursing home were so lacking, a judge found them to be "worthless." The FBI describes the scene:

Not enough food. Little air conditioning or heat. Roofs leaking to the point that barrels and plastic sheets were used to catch rain water. Trash piled up in dumpsters. Flies and rodents everywhere, along with rampant mold and mildew.

...The primary culprit? The owner of these homes who, despite having received more than $32.9 million in payments from Medicare and Medicaid for residents' care, elected to pocket much of the money instead.

Source: fbi.gov

The conditions at most nursing homes are not shocking enough to attract the FBI, but in my experience, many nursing home residents are suffering from the same kind of greed.

Most nursing homes are operated for profit, and far too many try to boost their profits by hiring too few staff to meet residents' needs. This can mean there are too few staff to keep you or your loved one well fed, safe, and housed in a clean environment.

Most nursing home caregivers, however underpaid, do their very best for their residents. But when managers cut corners there too few caregivers to serve all the residents, and our loved ones can suffer neglect.

Nursing homes residents who cannot move themselves, go to the bathroom on their own, feed themselves, or even ring a nursing call light when they need assistance are at the greatest risk of neglectful care. Sometimes a nursing home that appears well-staffed by day is understaffed during evening, night or weekend hours - when the home is less likely to be inspected. During such times, at an understaffed nursing home, you might see residents' call lights ringing incessantly without a response from staff; or residents calling out for help with no response. Residents may also get too little help at meal time. The facility may also develop a foul smell.

Neglect through understaffing is dangerous and illegal. When a resident is not tended, he/ she can develop painful bedsores called pressure ulcers. Bedsores can fester, sometimes leading to blood infections (also called septicemia or sepsis) and even death. Inadequate staffing may also lead to injuries when residents fall. Broken bones are a life-threatening event for an elderly resident. Poor management may also result in medication errors which can lead to pneumonia, heart failure, or other very serious conditions.

Nursing home owners need to know that when they cut corners and our loved ones are hurt because of it, they will be held responsible. If your loved one was seriously injured or died because of neglectful treatment at a Virginia nursing home, you may be able to hold the nursing home owner accountable by seeking justice for your family.

Many law firms, including mine, provide a free initial consultation, and can tackle cases of nursing home abuse.

To arrange a free initial consultation with say Michael S. Weisberg, P.C., call us at 757-777-9214, toll free at 800-401-4989 or fill out our online form.

Website: www.weislaw.com