The stories of elder abuse and neglect that come to me from all over California are always heartbreaking and tragic. We regularly see egregious examples of elderly patients in facilities who have suffered pressure sores, sepsis, fractures, unexplained injuries, and head injuries including subdural hematomas. Others have been given physical restraints, chemical restraints, or have…
Read MoreI’m Wendy York from the York Law Firm in Sacramento. Several times each week, someone calls me because their Mom is suffering from one or more of the following problems: Head Injury Infections Medication Errors Bedsores Recurring falls Poor hygiene Being left in wet or dirty briefs Unavailable caregivers Caregivers who don’t respond to alerts…
Read MoreThe Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, conducted a four-year study by evaluating post-acute care provided in skilled nursing facilities. An adverse event is an event that resulted in harm (prolonged nursing home stay, transfer to the hospital, permanent harm, or death). This study concluded that the majority of the adverse…
Read MoreOne of the largest nursing home chains, Extendicare Health Services, has reached a settlement with the Department of Justice following an investigation that identified many disturbing instances of substandard care including: falls, fractures, head injuries to residents, malnutrition, pressure sores and infections. In addition, the investigation found that Extendicare facilities admitted very sick residents without…
Read MoreA team of researchers from the University of Maryland and University Red Cross College of Nursing found that high turnover in leadership positions in nursing homes were more than twice as likely to be found to have survey deficiencies. Forty percent of nursing home administrators quit due to burnout. A lack of leadership in nursing…
Read MoreMotor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of 14 – 18 year olds in the United States. Almost 50% of teen drivers involved in crashes died. As parents, we are the biggest influence on our teen’s safety behind the wheel. We need to do more to take time to talk with our kids about…
Read MoreSkilled nursing facilities are suitable for residents that require 24 hour a day care and often are moderately or fully unable to care for themselves, either due to an acute condition (e.g., recovering from hip surgery) or a chronic condition (e.g., stroke victim). Skilled nursing facilities are licensed by California Department of Public Health. They…
Read MoreHospice care is not considered a type of treatment for sick patients, but rather a plan of care for terminally ill or dying patients who are assessed as having six months or less to live. However, hospice is not a death sentence and a patient’s health condition can improve such that they go off of…
Read MoreSub-acute facilities are a relatively recent trend and are beginning to appear more and more. Why? It is simple: money. Recent reimbursement rates changes from Medicare make it such that a nursing home can get higher reimbursement rates for a resident that needs more specialized care (such as tracheotomy care, intravenous tube feeding and complex…
Read MoreAssisted living facilities are another form of RCFE (Residential Care Facility for the Elderly). Typically the primary difference between an assisted living facility and a board and care home is the size of the facility. While board and care homes tend to be smaller (less than 10 beds), assisted living facilities are generally larger communities…
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