Citizen Advocacy Group Gives Oklahoma Nursing Home a Failing Grade
Families for Better Care, Inc. is a citizen advocacy group that acts as a watchdog of nursing homes for residents and their families. According to a recent NewsChannel 4 report, the group gave Oklahoma nursing homes a failing grade. The report states that local nursing home residents are living in dangerous conditions and that immediate and decisive action is required to keep the elderly safe.
Out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Oklahoma ranked 49th in providing “safe, quality nursing home care and security,” the report stated. In response to the ranking, Oklahoma State Representative Richard Morrissette stated: “We aren’t getting better, we are sinking like a rock!”
Nationwide, only three states provide over two hours of professional nursing care per resident per day. This means that many elderly residents are barely seen and treated by qualified nursing staff. In fact, 92 percent of states provide residents with fewer than three hours of direct resident care per day. Furthermore, in almost half of all states, one in five nursing homes abuse, neglect or mistreat residents.
It is unclear what local lawmakers intend to do to improve conditions of Oklahoma nursing homes. Increasing mandatory staffing requirements could help. Providing more investigators to look into wrongdoing could deter abuse and neglect statewide. In the meantime, there are steps that you and your family can take to help protect your loved one:
- Choose your nursing home carefully. Take the time to visit multiple facilities and conduct online research. Look for reviews and news articles about the facilities you are interested in to make sure there are no red flags.
- Visit often. Once you choose a facility for your loved one, make sure you visit often at different times of day. You want the staff of each shift to know who you are. Knowing that you could show up to check up on your loved one at any moment could help protect him or her from harm.
- Install a camera. You may want to consider installing a hidden camera to review the actions of nursing care providers when they are in your loved one’s room. This is legal in Oklahoma.
- Ask questions. If you are concerned about injuries your loved one has suffered, ask to see the medical records and express your concerns to management.
- Call the authorities. If you believe that your loved one has been abused, do not hesitate to call the authorities. Taking action could expose the facility and protect other residents.
It is also advisable to speak with a nursing home attorney about your legal rights and options. Negligent and dangerous facilities can be held accountable for the injuries and damages they cause.