In what is probably not something you want to read, the facts show that nursing home residents are being exposed to more errors and maltreatment in nursing homes today than ever before. The inspector general for the federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) stated that urgent action needs to be taken, because there is a growing problem in American nursing homes.
In the alert, the inspector general pointed out incidents in 33 states where residents of nursing homes had to be taken to emergency rooms due to horrible situations of neglect, rape and broken bones. The inspector general urged people to visit their loved ones often to help prevent these issues and to catch perpetrators.
With one out of every three baby boomers needing a nursing home at some point in their lives, it’s important that these facilities are up to the task. After an injury, someone could end up in a nursing home temporarily while recovering. With poor care, that individual may end up back in the hospital or stuck in the nursing home until his or her eventual death.
If you receive a list of nursing homes that you can go to after an operation, take your time doing your research. Some facilities are ranked high, but others are not. A two-star facility might have problems with health code violations or how patients are treated, whereas a five-star facility does what it takes to get you home and back to your loved ones. If you find that the facility is not up to the appropriate standard, you can file a claim to make sure your loved one is protected against abuse and neglect.
Source: The American Spectator, “HHS: Nursing Home Horrors Are on the Rise,” Betsy McCaughey, Aug. 30, 2017