U.S. News & World Report is out with an article on the common problems found in U.S. nursing homes in an interview with attorney Eric Carlson, author of 20 Common Nursing Home Problems. As a nursing home abuse lawyer, I found the article enormously helpful; particularly the answer to the first question, which I think is the most important:
What can consumers do to best protect themselves up front?
Be aggressive about questioning a prospective home about staffing and staff training. A nursing home generally receives $4,000 to $9,000 a month for the care of one resident, so it should be responsive to both residents and potential customers. Talk to residents and visitors without nursing home staff hovering nearby. Visit several times, at different hours and on different days. Make at least one visit at mealtime. Examine inspection reports. Each nursing home that accepts Medicare or Medicaid payment is inspected approximately once a year. And the National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform offers a consumer guide to getting good care in a nursing home.
Other questions include Alzheimer’s care, nursing home staffing, and nursing home rights. I encourage all who are investigating nursing home care, or currently have a loved one in a nursing home to read the complete article which can be found by clicking here.
The elder abuse attorneys at Walton Law Firm LLP represent individuals and families throughout Southern California who have suffered due to abuse or neglect in the nursing home and assisted living setting.