Nursing Home Abuse in Maryland in 2007: Getting Worse, Not Better
Maryland’s nursing homes had an “off year” according to Jay Handcock’s blog for the Baltimore Sun. The Government Accountability Office reports that citations in Maryland for inflicting residents with “actual harm” or putting them in “immediate jeopardy” were given to 17% of Maryland’s 234 nursing homes last year. This is more than a 100% increase from last year.
There is a bill in the Maryland House of Delegates that would require Maryland nursing homes to give people the choice of installing cameras to monitor their loved ones in nursing homes. What would that cost Maryland nursing homes? Nothing. The patients or their families would pay for the camera themselves. Yet I’m going out on a limb to say the bill does not pass. Why? Maryland nursing homes have good lobbyists.
Comments
We have few here in Southern CA also. My husband was almost over medicated with the wrong kind of drugs as a Re-hab heart attack patient who was ony suppose to stay in the Nursing facility for 7 to 10 days. My Son and I got him relased after two days there. Scary! he is now doing quite well at home. Thank God!
Posted by: The Mud lady | March 19, 2009 10:23 PM
If this law does pass it would spread like wildfire across the country! I can imagine how shocked families (and juries) would be to see how long the resident was on the floor after a fall; the length of time between turning the resident to prevent ulcers; the lack of assistance or abuse in feedings.
On the other hand, well-run, caring nursing homes would shine! Imagine a film showing a clean, attractive facility; happy, caring and plentiful staff members; residents living well in their final months/years.
In my town, the best nursing home is the oldest, state run facility. The facility with the most citations (and worst reputation) is the new, for profit nursing home!
Posted by: Susan Schaab | March 28, 2009 12:21 PM
That makes sense that the for-profit ones would be worse because all they care about is making money, not the quality of life they are giving the elderly.
-Jack
Posted by: Maryland Family Lawyer | April 14, 2009 4:51 PM