Many Georgia nursing homes poorly rated in new report
A recent online database rated nearly 40 percent of the 357 nursing homes ranked in Georgia with a score or two or fewer stars, on a scale of one (poor) to five (excellent).
April 09, 2013
For many families, there are clear signs that a loved one is no longer able to live independently. Injuries and illnesses may develop that require more attention than family members can provide. Once the decision has been made to place the individual into a nursing home, the attention shifts to finding the facility that can offer a loved one the care that he or she needs.When selecting a nursing home, there are many issues that family members will need to address as they review each facility, including location and costs. However, family members will want to do additional research to determine if there are any allegations of nursing home abuse at any of the places they are considering.
Many nursing homes receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funds to help pay for the costs incurred by the residents. This means that the homes need to follow both federal and state regulations in order to keep their license. Nursing homes are inspected by state agencies at least once a year, and if any complaints are raised, they are investigated as well.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) compiles data connected to inspections by state agencies, staff at the facility and quality of care received. It places this information on its website to allow families to learn more about the facilities they are considering. Recently, U.S. News and World Report examined this data and released a ranking of the "Best Nursing Homes" across the United States.
The listings were broken down by state, with each facility receiving a score between one (poor) and five (excellent) stars. Unfortunately in Georgia, nearly 40 percent of the 357 nursing homes ranked were only rated at two stars or less.
This review shows that many nursing homes in Georgia are struggling with issues related to patient care. Investigations by state agencies may show instances of nursing home abuse, such as bedsores or dehydration. Facilities must correct the problems they are experiencing or they risk losing their license.
If your loved one is in a nursing home, be sure to keep a close eye for any signs of mistreatment or neglect. If you notice any of these signs, speak to an experienced nursing home abuse attorney to discuss your options.
Some of this neglect and abuse can lead to serious health problems for your loved one. It is important that you hold these facilities responsible for their actions. If they are allowed to provide substandard care to their residents, other families will be forced to deal with the same problems that your loved one is currently experiencing.
Article provided by Floyd Buford, Attorney at Law
Visit us at www.fmbufordlaw.com