A newly released report confirms that nursing home abuse is a very serious problem. The study reports that over 91% of surveyed nursing homes in the United States were deficient in their quality of care over the past three years.
According to a September 2008 Department of Health & Human Services study, over 91% of nursing homes surveyed were sited for deficiencies in the past three years. The most common deficiency categories cited were quality of care, resident assessment and quality of life. In fact, the study reported that 17% of nursing homes surveyed in 2007 were cited for actual harm or immediate jeopardy deficiencies.
The study provided the following information on each of the categories listed as having the most common deficiencies:
The study also reported that nursing homes in the private sector had worse track records than non-profits - but not by much. If fact, in 2007, 94% of private, for-profit, nursing homes surveyed were cited for deficiencies, compared to 88% of non-profit and 91% of government nursing homes.
If your loved one is in a nursing home, assisted living facility, receives in home day care or spends the day in an adult day care center, it's important to make sure that they are getting the care and respect that they deserve. If they are not, contact an attorney whose practice focuses in nursing home abuse to discuss your situation. Consultations are free, without obligation and are strictly confidential.