Over 90% of U.S. Nursing Homes Violate Federal Standards
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In a report issued yesterday, federal investigators stated that 94% of nursing homes were cited for health and safety violations last year with problems ranging from infected bedsores and medication mistakes to general abuse and neglect.
About 17 percent of nursing homes had deficiencies that caused “actual harm or immediate jeopardy” to patients, said the report, by Daniel R. Levinson, the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The report found that for-profit nursing homes had more violations than nonprofit homes and government homes. A major problem cited by the report was the lack of the institutions' ability to maintain an adequate ratio of trained staff to patients.
Deficiencies varied from state to state and the President of the Nursing Home association, Bruce A. Yarwood, explained that this variation was a result of the subjective interpretation of federal standards by inspectors.
This December, the Bush administration hopes to alleviate the discrepancies by implementing a five-star ranking system to be published on a federal Website.
Elderly citizens are our most tangible connection to a past that may seem only abstract and elusive to a younger generation. All too often when our aging parents and grandparents enter these homes with the hopes of better and more constant care, their hopes are dashed through exposure to an overburdened, understaffed institution. If you are thinking about placing your elderly relatives in a nursing home facility, please take the time to choose the right facility.
Some things to remember include:
1) Research Several Facilities Before Committing
2) Consider Each Facility’s Reputation
3) Make Unannounced Visits at Different Times of the Day
4) Find Facilities that Cater to Your Specialized Needs
5) Make Sure that the Location is Right for You and Your Elderly Relative
If you have elderly relatives currently residing in a nursing home facility, please take the time to read tips on identifying elder abuse and neglect.