Florida Nursing Home Lawyer Blog
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, oversee medication and prepare meals for those who wish to stay in their homes as opposed to a nursing home facility.
Nurses and nursing assistants who work in licensed nursing home facilities must adhere to certain training requirements, the same standards are not always extended to those who provide in-home care. Many home health agencies do complete background checks, but it’s not a mandated requirement, and, as some officials point out, this can create problems when employees have prior convictions for crimes of theft and violence.