North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Nursing homes in North Carolina are counted upon to help our elderly loved ones in their time of need. They're here to provide them with love, care and safety. However, budget cuts may impact everything from nursing care to disaster preparedness.

According to government investigators and a recent study, most nursing homes are woefully unprepared for a natural disaster, whether a tornado, flood or hurricane. Our Carolina nursing home neglect attorneys have seen the devastation caused to nursing home communities in the wake of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Nursing homes have a legal responsibility to residents and the families of residents and one of the most important responsibilities is safety.

After a recent study, researchers discovered that nursing homes in the area lacked the steps to help keep residents stay safe in the event of an evacuation, including correspondence with local authorities, ways to get in touch with relatives and effective systems to get medications on board and distributed correctly, according to FOX NEWS.

Our Greensboro nursing home neglect lawyers understand that families put their loved ones in nursing homes with the expectations that they'll be properly cared for. We assume that facilities can handle a natural disaster and can care for residents during these times. The recent report shows we may be wrong. As a matter of fact, the plans of these homes may not even be worth the paper they're written on.

Some are not surprised with the lack of planning among nursing homes in our areas, considering the recent Medicare funding reductions. The state of North Carolina recent lost nearly $23 million in funding, which constitutes as the fifth largest cut nationally.

"North Carolina, like many states, has a very fragile Medicaid system with numerous budgetary challenges," said Alan G. Rosenbloom, President of the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care (AQNHC).

Rosenbloom says it's not going to get better anytime soon either. He says that Medicare reductions are expected to hit nearly $50 billion by the fiscal year 2021.

This is alarming considering the recent natural disasters that we've had to react to.

"We identified many of the same gaps in nursing home preparedness and response," said investigators with the Health and Human Services Department.

The study concluded that nursing homes' emergency plans failed to provide relevant information regarding safety procedures, procedures that could potentially save your loved one's life.

Nationwide, nearly 5 million people spent some time in a nursing home in 2009. About 40 percent of these individuals were in the top 10 disaster-prone states. Statistics reveal that the average nursing home resident is a female in her 80s or older and deals with both mental and physical limitations. These residents are completely dependent on the help of other for everyday activities.

Continue reading "North Carolina Nursing Home Neglect: Budget Cuts and Disaster Readiness" »

North Carolina nursing home abuse is of grave concern not only for those who are reaching an age where they might require assisted living, but also for their loved ones who may sometimes feel powerless to protect them.

Our Asheville nursing home abuse attorneys know that when you place your loved one in a facility to receive quality, around-the-clock care, you want to trust that is what they will get. Unfortunately, North Carolina is gaining an unsettling reputation as having nursing homes that perform poorly in terms of protecting residents from infection, abuse and neglect.

A recent investigation conducted by Reporter Jonathan Carlson of NBC17 uncovered some disturbing trends. Of the 125 Raleigh-area nursing homes the reporter reviewed, more than 30 of them had inspection ratings that fared far below average. A number of these noted violations were so extreme that elder family members were put in positions of danger.

In one case, an adult assisted living facility in Wake Forest was downgraded to provisional status after authorities launched an investigation into the death of a resident and several cases of alleged assault. Provisional status requires intense scrutiny and government oversight of a facility, which must meet certain requirements in order to maintain its license and receive federal money.

In another case in Mount Olive, a nursing home was fined more than $15,000 following the deaths of six patients who contracted hepatitis at the center.

Other violations included patients who were either over-medicated or not given enough medication. In some cases, family members weren't told when their loved ones were injured or had fallen ill. And even more alarming, a vast majority of facilities had at least one employee who had a criminal conviction, some of those for neglecting, mistreating or abusing residents in the past.

Sadly, that is somewhat in line with the national average. In fact, a report issued by the Inspector General following an FBI probe found that more than 90 percent of nursing homes across the country employ at least one person who has been convicted of a crime.

Some industry insiders said turnover of supervisory staff is often at issue in these cases. Positions within nursing homes are sometimes seen as stepping stones to a higher run in the career ladder. Still, that is no excuse for any form of abuse, neglect or mistreatment.

Federal money has been set aside to help streamline the process of checking the backgrounds of nursing home employees. For those employees that don't require a license to do their job, it is hoped they will all be fingerprinted, their files kept in a statewide database. But that could take several years.

In the meantime, families will have to be proactive and vigilant concerning their loved ones' care. According to the Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Resource Center, there are a few steps you can take if you suspect abuse or neglect is occurring:

1. Make frequent visits. Don't always go at the same time or on the same day. This will give you a chance to see what is happening on weekends, nights and holidays.

2. Discuss your concerns with nurses or aides.

3. Talk to the doctor.

4. Contact the ombudsman.

5. Call the state's Department of Health to find out what kind of oversight or complaints your facility has received.

Finally, it is critical to contact an attorney who is experienced in nursing home abuse and neglect - someone who will fight for you and your loved one.

Continue reading "North Carolina Nursing Home Abuse A Problem" »

BlueRidgeNow.com reports that the majority of older adults would prefer to live in the comforts of their own home until they die. But our Asheville personal injury lawyers know that probably is unrealistic for many people. In fact, 43 percent of older adults develop mobility, sensory, or cognitive problems or issues with taking care of themselves as they age and need assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, cooking and cleaning.

When elders reach the point of not being able to take care of themselves, family members are faced with the tough decision of what to do next. If bringing someone into the home to care for your loved one is not financially or physically feasible, you may need to consider other options such as senior-living communities, assisted living communities, or a nursing home or other long-term care facility.

As part of a two-part series "Visiting Nursing Homes During the Holidays" we hope to not only create awareness about abuse and neglect occurring at North Carolina nursing homes but we want to help make choosing the right nursing home for your loved one a little easier.

Bringing medical staff into the home can be costly. The majority of long-term care services are publicly funded by either Medicare or Medicaid depending on the extent of an older adult's stay at the facility. Family members need to be cautious in choosing the right facility because not all nursing homes are rated highly or provide the best medical care.

The South Charlotte News recently reported there are more than 2,000 residents living in long-term care facilities in South Charlotte. North Carolina is ranked ninth in the country for the number of adults over age 60 residing in the state. By 2030, it is expected that one in four adults living in North Carolina will be over 60 years-old, according to a U.S. Census Bureau survey.

There are 49 licensed adult-care facilities in Mecklenburg County alone, but only one paid regional long-term care ombudsman looking out for the rights and welfare of residents living in facilities. The purpose of the ombudsman is to make sure residents are treated properly and that facilities are following federal regulations and not committing violations that can endanger the health and safety of older adults. Ombudsmen are not regulators or inspectors but they can go around to facilities and talk to residents about whether their needs are being met or what kind of care they are receiving.

Family members in the process of looking for the right long-term care facility should first start by visiting the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation website. This site can serve as a resource and provide information about what a violation is and which adult care homes have received violations or have been cited for penalties.

Once you have done some research online, make a list of which facilities you want to visit. Choosing a facility that is close to your home is not always the best option so have a variety of nursing homes on your list. Make an appointment with someone in management at each facility to give you a tour and discuss the advantages to putting your loved one in their care. Once you have the list narrowed down, go for a second visit. It is important during the second visit to ask questions and pay special attention to the following:

-Talk to staff about how long they have worked at the facility. Staff longevity typically translates to residents being happier because the paid employees enjoy their job and like where they work.

-Plan to have a meal to get an idea of the quality, nutrition and amount provided to residents.

-Participate in planned activities or entertainment at the nursing home. Talk to residents about their experiences with staff and the kinds of activities provided.

-Recognize whether the state of health of residents at the facility matches the health of your own loved one. Look for mobility, communicativeness, and overall functioning of each resident. The idea is for your loved one to feel comfortable and make friends so residents should be free and able to interact with each other.

The important thing to remember is that both you and your elder loved one need to feel comfortable about which nursing home you choose. If it isn't a joint decision or the elder is resisting for some reason, communicate with them about the concerns they have. Choosing the right home can create a safe and healthy environment for them to live out the rest of their remaining days.

Continue reading "Researching North Carolina Nursing Homes Can Protect Elders from Abuse and Neglect in Asheville, Elsewhere" »

Families build traditions and spend lots of quality time during the holiday season. If you have parents, grandparents or other loved ones at a nursing home, don't forget to include them in your holiday celebrations.

Greensboro nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys know that patients who don't receive visitors regularly are more prone to abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Family members must keep tabs on their elders living in these types of facilities to ensure they are not being mistreated by residents, staff or medical providers.

In a two-part "Visiting Nursing Homes During the Holidays" series, we hope to open your eyes to some of the signs of abuse or neglect to look for as you visit loved ones. There is also some good information about how to choose the right nursing home for your loved ones when they can no longer take care of themselves.

Abuse and neglect in Charlotte nursing homes or elsewhere can range anywhere from not changing bed sheets regularly to nurses making an error in medication management.

WWAY reports of a recent example of nursing home neglect when a couple visited a parent at a nursing home in New Hanover County and discovered the facility was operating without water. The couple was about to leave and saw the staff carrying around five-gallon jugs of water, which raised suspicion after being told earlier by the loved one that all they had to eat for breakfast was cold cereal. When questioned, management confirmed the water had been shut off for more than a week forcing residents to live without running water. Routine tests on the water found signs of bacteria and forced the facility to rectify the problem by putting chemicals in the system. More than one test detected signs of bacteria, which resulted in the facility leaving the water turned off for days.

The Nursing Home Monitor keeps the public informed about news of abuse and neglect occurring in facilities throughout the country, including several recent incidents at Charlotte-area nursing homes. Several homes have received violations for medication errors, allowing residents to roam the streets at night, untreated wounds and abuse, among other citations.

As you visit an elder at a nursing home this holiday, stay attentive for signs of neglect or abuse. The following are some signs to look for from the Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Resource Center:

-Extended deprivation of food or water.
-Signs of assault or battery evidenced by bruising, lacerations or unattended wounds.
-Symptoms of over-medication or not being given the correct medication.
-Witness a resident being slapped, shaken or mistreated by a staff member or another resident.
-Failure to provide necessary care to prevent bed sores, malnutrition, or dehydration.
-Residents live in unsanitary conditions.

If it doesn't look right to you, then it probably isn't and it needs to be questioned and possibly reported. Help protect your loved ones from mistreatment by visiting often and asking frequent questions about how they like living at the facility.

Continue reading "North Carolina Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys Urge Families to Look for Signs During Holiday Season Visits" »

Many of us are familiar with the triumphant story of Gabrielle Gifford's remarkable recovery after sustaining a traumatic brain injury a year ago from a gun shot that penetrated her skull. As witnessed in her story, patients who sustain serious blows to the head or traumatic brain injuries in Asheville, or elsewhere in the country need extensive medical care and rehabilitation if they have any hope of recovery.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients are often housed in facilities to help them rehabilitate from physical or mental disabilities after the accident because they can no longer take care of themselves or function on their own. Families rely on these facilities to give our loved ones the best care possible and prevent them from further injury. Such facilities, including nursing homes, have an obligation to ensure the safety of residents. This includes not allowing them to walk out the door at their own free will.

Our Hickory nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys never understand how a resident can walk through a door without staff knowing it, but it happens all too frequently.

WRAL reports of a recent incident involving a TBI patient who went missing for five hours after walking out the front door of a Raleigh rehab center. This is not the first time something like has happened at this particular type of facility. During a shift change, the patient unknowingly walked out the front door of the Learning Services facility. Family members researched rehab facilities before admitting the patient and found Learning Services to be the best in the business. Why then, are they losing or failing to maintain supervision of patients who have no way of protecting themselves in dangerous situations?

Other families have not been as lucky. In 2004, an incident at a Learning Services center in Durham had a much different outcome. A resident walked out the door and went missing for four days. Unable to take care of himself, the man was found frozen to death a block and half away. The family filed a wrongful death lawsuit and later settled for $2.5 million.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has had to conduct several investigations for deficiencies at the Learning Services facilities according to state records. At a Creedmoor facility, a patient died after having a seizure and was not attended to by staff. The company was fined $2,000 for failing to respond appropriately in this incident. The company has also been cited for losing a patient in Durham and not having a registered nurse available at a Raleigh location. Learning Services specializes in TBI patient care, which often means patients don't have the capabilities to care for themselves both mentally and physically.

The company's resolution for rectifying the situation in the recent incident is to place a device on the patient that will alert staff if he or she walks out the door. A bracelet will also be given to the attending nurse so the patient doesn't get overlooked when a shift change takes place.

North Carolina injury lawyers aren't comfortable with what appears to be a "Band-Aid" fix like this. Facilities have an obligation to give loved ones the best care possible, which includes making sure they are supervised at all times.

Continue reading "Patient Care Neglect at North Carolina Nursing Homes and Rehab Centers a Concern for Families in Statesville, Elsewhere" »

Slated to start in October, a reformed medical malpractice bill could discourage North Carolina lawyers from taking on those kinds of cases, says an article in the Star News.

Some think a drastic increase in malpractice filings could occur prior to the October start date. The reformed law puts a $500,000 limit on certain types of compensation that a person can be awarded.

Our personal injury lawyers in Gastonia think this law is completely unfair considering many long-term injuries exceed well over the capped amount when all is said and done. Though big business interests failed in passing caps on workers compensation, they succeeded in passing them on medical malpractice claims. Studies have shown less than 10 percent of the cost of medical care has anything to do with malpractice claims - or less than 1 year of increased premiums. Meanwhile, an estimated 100,000 people a year died due to medical error - three times more than die in car accidents.

Supporters of the bill say the changes will decrease the cost of medical insurance and boost the economy. There will be no limit on the amount paid for suffering and pain if two of the following conditions happen: disfigurement occurs, functioning of any part of the body is lost or is permanently damaged or if a person dies and actions of the defendant were negligent or reckless.

A representative for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, an organization of lawyers that help defend individual rights, said it is likely that lawyers will take on less medical malpractice cases. The malpractice bill was vetoed by Governor Beverly Perdue but policymakers later overrode the veto.

It is likely the bill will have legal confrontations on its constitutionality. Supreme Courts in Illinois and Georgia have already dismissed laws that put a cap on compensations. The same could happen in North Carolina, though it is not expected any time soon.

First, the case would have to be filed after October 1. A malpractice case can take as long as 2 years to go to trial. Then, a person would have to be awarded damages over the cap. Following that, the appeals process would start. Recently, a past Supreme Court Chief told policymakers he felt a law putting a cap on damages awarded by juries would be unconstitutional.

Several local attorneys are watching to see if there is a change in the amount of malpractice cases after the new law. North Carolina Advocates for Justice looked at statistics from 1998 to present day on the quantity of malpractice cases that have been filed.

Their research concluded that the amount of cases has decreased in recent years. Medical malpractice declined over 19 percent from 2008 to 2010. There were only 7 cases in New Hanover County since 1998 that had jury trials and only 2 of the cases were successful with damages awarded of $25,000 and $10,000.

Continue reading "Legislation Would Limit Compensation on North Carolina Malpractice Claims, Leaving Victims to Pay Out-Of-Pocket" »

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults 65 and older have a 33 percent chance of falling each year. On average, one of every three adults in this age group fall, which often leads to fatal or serious injuries, like hip fractures or head trauma.

As our focus continues on a short series of blogs about nursing homes, our personal injury lawyers in Winston-Salem, Gastonia and Greensboro know that falls are a leading cause of injury in older adults . In 2007, more than 18,000 older adults died from an unintentional fall injury. Liability or negligence can often become a concern for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or even businesses when it comes to falls by senior citizens. In each case, they have an obligation to make their environment safe for everyone.

Senior citizens whoslip and fall on a premises in North Carolina are a leading cause of injury for North Carolinians. In fact, the North Carolina Injury and Violence Prevention offers the following older adult fall statistics for North Carolina residents:

-Death rates due to falls in 2007 was 23 times higher for someone over age 65 than for someone not over that age.

-76 percent of fall-related deaths in 2007 were from someone 65 and older.

- 10 to 20 percent of falls in nursing homes result in severe injury.

- From 2000 to 2006, unintentional falls by senior citizens reported to hospitals rose 15 percent.

-Women have a tendency to visit emergency rooms 30 percent more than men as a result of a fall.

Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. Among older adults in 2000, 46 percent suffered from traumatic brain injury from a fatal fall. As adults age, they begin to lose balance or become more feeble. Once an older adult falls, they often become fearful of falling again, especially if no one is there to help.

According to the CDC, older adults can take the following steps to help prevent falls:

-Have your eyes checked annually by the eye doctor. Update your eyeglass prescription as needed.

-Minimize side effects like dizziness or drowsiness by having your doctor check prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

-Make your home safe-proof by adding bars, railings, ramps and more lighting. Remove all hazards that could cause you to trip. For instance, ruffled carpets or exposed legs on chairs.

-Get a daily dose of exercise focusing on balance, fitness and strength as part of your routine.

Continue reading "Falls a Common Cause of Injury and Death Among North Carolina Elderly" »

In a few weeks, North Carolina will be observing Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse Awareness Month from May 6th - June 20th, according to North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services.

As part of a short series, our Carolina nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys want to remind everyone to wear a purple ribbon in honor of keeping our elders safe. In our first blog we reported on picking the right elder care facility. Next we transition to common forms of abuse that take place in nursing homes and what signs to look for if you have an elderly loved one residing in an elder care facility.

There are several types of nursing home abuse in Asheville and throughout the country. Physical abuse is the most apparent to the human eye. You may see signs of bruising, cuts, bed sores or other injuries, failure to maintain hygiene or unsanitary living conditions.

The Beaufort Gazette reports about a nurse who physically and verbally abused female patients at the Carolina House recently. One resident claimed the nurse slapped her hard enough to cause a nosebleed after forcing medication down her throat, while another resident reportedly had private body parts bathed with toothpaste.

A co-worker witnessed the nurse giving verbal and physical abuse to three different residents the morning of the incident. Though the nurse had no prior arrests, it is suspected that she had been suspended previously for elder abuse.

In addition to abuse, caregivers at nursing home facilities can be guilty of neglecting residents. Most types of neglect are not as easily detected. Nurses may neglect a resident in the following manners: fail to feed or provide water, connect and interact emotionally with the resident or refrain from giving correct doses of medication in time-sensitive situations or needed medical care.

Victims of abuse at nursing home or assisted living facilities are often afraid to speak up. If you have a loved one at an elder care facility, it is your responsibility to make sure they are being treated appropriately. The following are some suggestions to help make sure proper care is being given:

-Maintain a close connection by participating in as many activities as possible with your loved one.

-Interact with other residents to see if you can detect signs of abuse or neglect in them.

-Check your loved one's medication records to make sure doses are properly maintained.

-Periodically check in with nurses or caregivers regarding the current physical and mental condition of your loved one.

-If abuse or neglect is detected - take action. Contact a lawyer to discuss your rights immediately.

Continue reading "Abuse and Neglect an Unfortunate Reality at North Carolina Nursing Homes" »

In a three-part series on elder care facilities, our first blog focuses on how finding the right assisted living or nursing home to care for your elder parent or loved one can be a be a challenge. Not only does the older adult need to feel comfortable at the chosen facility, but you need to have peace of mind that your loved one is safe and not suffering from nursing home neglect or abuse in North Carolina.

One area that may not come to mind as you are dotting your I's and crossing your T's in finding the right facility is emergency situation care or evacuation. Our personal injury attorneys in Charlotte know that many elder care facilities in North Carolina lack an evacuation plan if a natural catastrophe were to occur like a fire or tornado. It certainly isn't something we expect to happen but worthy of at least asking the question before making a decision on which facility to choose.

Earlier this year, WBTV reported about a fire at the White Oak Manor nursing home in Southeast Charlotte which seriously burned two residents. It is believed the fire was started by a resident who was smoking at the smoke-free facility. Investigators first reported that one resident had life-threatening injuries but both were expected to survive. Federal investigators ranked the facility as 'average' during last year's annual inspection.

The most recent natural disaster were the estimated 60 or more tornadoes that passed through North Carolina, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Several residents died at a nursing home in Bertie County following the ferocious attack by several tornadoes that hit the area.

Natural disasters can't be predicted but assisted living and nursing home facilities still have an obligation to do what they can to protect your loved one in an emergency care situation. The North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension suggests that you speak with the facility about their emergency evacuation so that you can make sure your elder knows the proper procedure. Similar to the days of attending grade school when fire drills were conducted, the facility should have a familiar routine for residents to follow in case of an emergency.

Older adult care facilities should have something in place similar to the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency. To view a sample, click on the link for Evacuation Planning Guide for nursing homes and assisted care facilities.

In preparing to find the right elderly care facility, there are a number of resources that can help you make the right choice. The following are a few suggested sites to visit that can help get you started:

Senior Care Directory North Carolina

North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services

Premier Senior Services

A Place for Mom

Department of Health and Human Services

Continue reading "Choosing right Nursing Home in North Carolina can Reduce Risk of Nelgect or Abuse" »

Many of us will visit nursing homes in North and South Carolina this holiday season. For others, visiting an elderly loved one at a holiday gathering will make it apparent that an assisting living facility or nursing home will soon be necessary.

Our North Carolina nursing home neglect attorneys urge you to remain vigilant when visiting nursing facilities through the holidays. It is up to each one of us to police a system dominated by for-profit homes and large chain corporations. Most facilities receive more visits at Christmas than at any other time of year. If you have concerns, we encourage you to speak to an elder abuse advocate, a law enforcement official or a nursing home abuse attorney.

The North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services reports there are over 300 nursing homes in North Carolina. The average cost of nursing home care is $41,000 a year, just below the national average of $43,000. Unfortunately, patients cannot always count on quality care. And, tragically, older adults are sometimes unwilling or unable to take the steps necessary to correct a neglectful or abusive situation.

In fact, earlier this year the state acknowledged it was not doing enough to combat nursing home neglect and abuse and it adopted tough new standards, making it harder for a nursing home to earn a Four-Star rating through the state, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Here is a list of North Carolina nursing homes.

Here is the North Carolina nursing home patients' bill of rights.

Signs of nursing home neglect or abuse in North Carolina:

-Unsanitary conditions

-Unexplained bruising, broken bones or health complications

-Bed sores, infections or sepsis

-High staff turnover

-Reluctance to leave patients along for visits

-Delays in being permitted to see patients

-Overcrowding

-Patients in overmedicated states

-Unexplained changes in behavior

-Unexplained financial transactions

Continue reading "Be alert to North Carolina nursing home conditions during holiday visits" »

Our Greenville nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys are closely monitoring a recent report about the spread of the Hepatitis B virus to at least 8 patients at the GlenCare Mount Olive assisted living facility in Wayne County.

Unsafe glucose monitoring practices have been linked to 5 deaths out of 8 assisted-living facility patients who were infected with the virus after medication techs reused the adjustable lancing devices on multiple patients to monitor blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. State health officials have determined that neither the devices nor the glucometers were routinely cleaned or disinfected between uses, the News & Observer reports. All 8 victims have been infected with Hepatitis B - a contagious liver disease. The dead range in age from 63 to 83 and all five patients died between August and late October, 2010.

The Center for Disease Control reports that Hepatitis B is a viral infection transmitted most commonly through the exchange of bodily fluids or by sexual contact. Infection can be acute, or short-term, or can develop into a long-term, chronic, condition that brings serious health implications and can be fatal. The spread of Hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination.

It is believed that about 800,000 to 1.4 million Americans live with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection and that globally about 350 million people have the disease. Chronic Hepatitis B has been linked to 620,000 deaths each year. In the U.S., the incidence of Hepatitis B has dropped by more than 80 percent since 1990 largely due to the implementation of a child vaccination campaign.

The New England Cable News reports that GlenCare Mount Olive staff was not trained in preventing Hepatitis contamination despite them being responsible for regularly checking blood sugar levels of diabetic patients. GlenCare can be fined up to $20,000 for numerous violations documented by state health workers. Regulators said that the facility avoided losing state licensing because mangers moved immediately to correct the problem once the infections started.

Consumer Reports offers a list of tips for family members looking to place a loved one in an assisted-living or long-term care facility:

~ Do your own research. Gather a list of local facilities and check the ownership, talk to administrators, ask about top-level turnover.

~ Visit the facility multiple times at different times of day. Check out patient schedules and find out how many patients aides and staff are responsible for monitoring. When possible, observe interaction between patients and staff.

~ Read state inspection surveys (Form 2567), talk to local ombudsmen and consult quality monitoring boards.

Continue reading "Wayne County assisted-living facility faces multiple health and safety violations" »

The upcoming closure of a nursing home in New Hanover County highlights the need to remain vigilant when judging the quality of a care a loved one is receiving in a for-profit nursing home, but particularly when a home is closing or otherwise undergoing administrative challenges.

Britthaven Inc. operates numerous nursing homes in North Carolina. It has notified the state that 59 employees will be laid off as it closes one of its homes in New Hanover County. The company's Chapel Hill facility has been accused of multiple counts of North Carolina nursing home abuse in connection with an Alzheimer's patient and numerous patients who were allegedly excessively medicated, according to media reports.

More than two-thirds of the nation's nursing homes are for-profit companies and half are operated by large chain corporations. For these facilities, senior citizens are a commodity.

Bowden Nursing Home Inc., which owns the Summer Rest Road facility, has filed an $8.7 million plan with the state to move the facility's beds to a facility on Carolina Beach Road. Officials are still reviewing that proposal, Star News reported.

Meanwhile, Britthaven of Wrightsville is in the process of decertifying for Medicare and Medicaid, a process which should be complete by Dec. 1. The company is also arranging for the "safe of orderly discharge of its residents" to other facilities, according to a company spokesperson.

Continue reading "Britthaven North Carolina nursing facility to close; separate facility under fire for abuse and neglect allegations " »

In September 2008, the L.A. Times reported that a sixty year old patient died due to a head injury after an improperly maintained mechanical lift broke and fell on her. The times further reported that the lift, that was supposed to be inspected monthly, was not checked or maintained in five years. The care center was fined the highest amount allowed by law at a total of $100,000. A far cry from what the family of the woman lost.

The wrongful death or injury of a loved one due to nursing home falls in North Carolina is a tragically common occurrence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that by the year 2030 approximately thirty million elderly people will live in nursing homes. The CDC also reports that nearly 1,800 people die each year from nursing home falls.

In fact, the average 100-bed nursing facility experiences approximately 200 falls per year. That means everyone fell twice! Of course, some of our most vulnerable older adults are given over to the care of a nursing home because they or their loved ones are not physically capable of providing for their care. But, with the average cost of a nursing home stay at $30,000 or more, you a right to expect that a nursing home will provide the proper care and staffing to help prevent falls among the residents.

Finding a good nursing home can be a daunting task to be sure your loved one is getting the best possible care. However, doing your research will be well worth it. When searching for a care center for a family member Consumer Reports advises that you could have a better chance of receiving excellent care from a not-for-profit home rather than a for-profit facility. Unfortunately, such homes are few and far between and the good ones will likely have a long waiting list.

Nationwide, half of all nursing homes are run by large chain corporations and two-thirds are for-profit companies.

Consumer Reports also advise to read the care facility's inspection surveys; the facility should have them readily available to you. Visit the facility and observe how many people are in their beds or confined to their rooms; this probably is not a good sign. Ask about turnover. If a facility has gone through several administrators or many employees that could mean that your family member would be better cared for elsewhere.

An injury from a nursing home fall can have many ill effects on an individual. Not only may a fall result in further loss of function and increased disabilities, it may also cause depression, social isolation and helplessness. Family members being cared for in a nursing home are already fragile. Many of them suffer from debilitating illnesses or can not function by themselves in some way. Although these conditions make it possible for individuals to fall, falls may also be contributed to the nursing home itself.

Continue reading "Falls accidents frequently the result of nursing home neglect in North Carolina" »