Nursing homes have come under fire in recent years for the widespread use of antipsychotic drugs among elderly patients with dementia, as many centers use the drugs to quell outbursts and aggression, while ignoring the many potentially serious health risks to the patient. Now, there is cause for concern among…
It’s been well-documented that the state of nursing homes in the U.S. warrants improvement. However, a recent, multi-pronged analysis suggests the degree of care received by minorities is markedly below what their white counterparts receive. The research, published by the Center for Public Integrity, noted some stark differences between nursing…
Choosing a nursing home for a loved one can be a difficult and painful decision. For many, finding a facility with a good reputation and acceptable government inspection reports is critical. Regulators tried to make the process easier, starting in December 2008 with its Nursing Home Compare website, which graded…
Palm Beach County officials are considering tightening rules for home health aides in response to a growing industry that is only loosely regulated by the state and federal government. While such positions are often assumed by relatives, there are also home health agencies whose workers are hired to run errands,…
A number of recent reports indicate a growing number of nursing home staffers are working excessive amounts of overtime, leading to a greater potential for reduced care quality and possibly neglect and abuse. In one case, a long-time nursing assistance in Pennsylvania clocked an average of 80 hours each week…
The majority of nursing homes in Florida receive the bulk of their funding from state and federal coffers. One of the ways regulators can ensure these facilities abide by basic care standards is to reduce or revoke Medicaid and/or Medicare reimbursements to providers who fail those standards. This has historically…
A 76-year-old woman who spent months languishing in a South Florida nursing home before being removed in 2003 died just weeks later. A jury later determined her to be the victim of continual neglect, having suffered numerous bed sores, malnutrition and a serious fall that resulted in a head injury.…
Recently, a unique case came before the Supreme Court in Connecticut regarding whether a private nursing home, which served both patients in state care and parolees from prison, would be shielded by the protections of sovereign immunity. The case stemmed from a dispute between the owners of the private facility…
Inadequate staffing for seriously ill patients is alleged to have led to the deaths of at least three patients who received care at several nursing home facilities – one in Winter Haven and two in Lakeland – owned by the same firm, according to lawsuits filed recently. The Lakeland Ledger…
There have been many success stories when it comes to use of antipsychotic drugs for those wrestling with serious mental disorders, such as schizophrenia or manic depression. However, when those same medications are given to older patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other various forms of dementia, the outcome can…