The nursing home industry in general has come under fire recently for deficiencies in their care towards our nation's elderly population. But, which states are the worst? A recent study released by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services lists the best and the worst states - and you might be surprised at where your state ranks.

The study

The study, released by the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in September 2008, looked at nearly 40,000 complaints in 2007 and compared those with complaints received (and substantiated) in 2006 and 2005. Overall, the study revealed that a very high percentage of nursing homes were deficient in their care of our nation's elderly. According to the study:

In each of the past 3 years, over 91 percent of nursing homes surveyed were cited for deficiencies and a greater percentage of for-profit nursing homes were cited for deficiencies than not-for-profit and government nursing homes. During those same years, the most common deficiency categories cited were quality of care, resident assessment and quality of life.

It also tallied the percentage of nursing homes surveyed with deficiencies by state from 2005-2007. Here are the worst and the best in each category:

The 10 worst (with the most deficiencies)

100%: District of Columbia
100%: Idaho
100%: Wyoming
100%: Alaska
99.1%: California
98.7%: Connecticut
97.9%: Arkansas
97.6%: Delaware
97.5%: Minnesota
97.5%: Utah

The 10 best (with the least deficiencies)

76.3%: Rhode Island
80.3%: Massachusetts
81.4%: Oregon
83.3%: Nevada
83.5%: New Hampshire
85.6%: Wisconsin
86.7%: Mississippi
87.4%: Ohio
87.6%: Kentucky
88.1%: Georgia

Where does your state rank?

To find out where your state ranks, view the study by clicking here. If you have a loved one that has been injured at a nursing home, assisted living facility, in adult day care or through at home care, contact an attorney whose practice focuses in this area of the law. To contact an elder abuse lawyer, please click here. Consultations are free, without obligation and are strictly confidential. We may be able to help.