New Mexico may have some of the worst nursing homes in the country, according to a recent report by the Albuquerque Journal, which found that 2,217 infractions have been reported in state facilities over the past few years. All of those facilities are certified by Medicaid and Medicare. Accounts “I had to hold (feces) in my hand,” said one resident, describing a time when they were left holding their colostomy bag for hours on end. “I finally … [Read more...]
Elderly Patient Eaten by Scabies at For-Profit Nursing Home
It is unsurprising that for-profit nursing homes have been known to cut corners and skip procedures. After all, when your only motivation is profit, the rest falls by the wayside, leaving elderly patients to fend for themselves. That’s what happened in Lafayette, Georgia, where former model and all-around go-getter, Rebecca Zeni, was left to fester, with millions of mites laying tiny eggs beneath her skin over a period of several months or … [Read more...]
What to Consider When Searching for the Right Nursing Home
Choosing a nursing home is almost never a pleasant process. Your loved one may not be ready to make the leap, or they may be incapacitated, suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Ideally, the process is collaborative, carried out through various discussions involving you, your loved one and the entire family. And, if possible, this is a discussion that happens early on, prior to it being an absolute necessity. If you slowly introduce the concept … [Read more...]
Legislators Scramble to Address Nursing Home Tragedy in Florida
Florida officials delivered dire news this Thanksgiving Eve, announcing that the deaths of 12 residents of a nursing home in Hollywood Hills are now being treated as homicides. Authorities have not yet named a perpetrator, but according to the Broward County Medical Examiner’s office, the elderly victims died prematurely as a result of heat exposure. Miranda Grossman, a spokesperson for the Hollywood Police Department, said, “Who gets charged is … [Read more...]
When Are Nursing Homes Responsible For Patient Injuries?
Nursing homes have a duty to hire employees who are qualified to perform their assigned tasks and do not pose an unreasonable risk to patient safety. Failure in either of these areas is negligence, even if the tortfeasor (negligent actor) did not intend to harm the victim. Nursing homes also have a responsibility to create a safe environment for their residents, and that means abiding by the standards of care in effect for that particular … [Read more...]