Nursing Home Neglect & Abuse
Oklahoma Family Reports Nursing Home Abuse of Vietnam War Veteran
A Vietnam War veteran is bruised and battered and his family believes that the Jones nursing home where he was staying is responsible. According to a KFOR news report, his wife found him one day turned to the wall of his room crying. When questioned, he claimed that the care provider balled up her fist and took a swing at him. His family reported the abuse but received no positive response from the nursing home’s administrators.
They man’s family has since taken him home and the director of the facility claims that the abuse is under investigation. The wife of the injured veteran says that the facility could not explain where the bruises on his stomach came from and that she worries for the many other residents who live in that facility. She is now working with a local advocate to learn about her options.
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Tips to Prevent Nursing Home Abuse
Abuse can happen at any Oklahoma nursing home. Even if you made every effort to find the perfect place for your loved one, there is still a chance that wrongdoing will occur there. Workers at some of the most highly rated, most expensive Oklahoma nursing homes have been accused of abuse and neglect.
There are several steps families can take to protect their loved ones in nursing homes:
- Choose the right facility. Read online reviews and inquire about the staff training. You want to find a home that has a reputation for having plenty of qualified care providers. Don’t be afraid to ask management if they run background checks on their employees and if there have been issues in the past with abuse and neglect.
Tulsa Nursing Homes Dangerously Understaffed
Recent news reports have highlighted the deplorable conditions faced by Oklahoma nursing home patients due to understaffing. In one egregious case, a FOX 23 news investigative report uncovered frequently occurring incidents of abuse and negligence at an understaffed nursing home in the Tulsa area.
The news report states that at one point during their investigation, there were only two aides responsible for 76 patients. Residents were left in their own feces because there was not enough staff to provide adequate care and support. In these types of conditions, the skin of the victims can break down, bedsores can develop, and the patient could even die. State officials are currently investigating the nursing facility.
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Five Tips to Choose a Suitable Nursing Home for your Loved One
Many families in Oklahoma must choose a nursing facility while under pressure because of health or financial issues. Choosing the right nursing home can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but finding an affordable and safe facility within a short period of time can be particularly challenging. Here are five tips to help you find a suitable nursing home for your loved one in a timely and efficient manner.
- Learn about your financial options and what you can afford. There is no point considering homes that are too expensive or do not accept government aid. Medicare generally does not cover long-term care, but Medicaid can provide support for home- and community-based services. Research what type of aid your loved one is eligible for and only search for nursing homes that accept that type of support.
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New Oklahoma Nursing Home Background Check Law Begins Now
When you choose a nursing home for your loved one, you expect a certain level of professionalism from the care providers. There are some Oklahoma nursing homes, however, that hire potentially dangerous care providers who have criminal records. A new state law that went into effect in Oklahoma on March 1 addresses this problem.
The Oklahoma Long Term Care Security Act was designed to cut down on abuse and neglect in our nursing home facilities and adult day care centers. Under the law, all new employees must now undergo fingerprint-based background checks. According to a KOCO news report, all Oklahoma nursing homes must now perform these types of background checks before hiring someone who will have direct access to residents and patients.
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Oklahoma Lawmakers Halt Nursing Home Reform Bill
A bill that was created to help prevent nursing home abuse throughout Oklahoma has officially not made it to committee. According to a News 9 report, the fight to pass House Bill 2901 is not over. Many believe that Oklahoma’s reputation as having some of the worst nursing homes in the country is well earned and that more needs to be done to protect our elderly.
The comprehensive bill that has been put on hold would require nursing homes to increase staffing levels. The bill would also result in more medical director oversight and require the state to interview elderly victims, their family members, and the accused during any investigation of wrongdoing. It is unclear when and if the bill will be passed and what adjustments will be made before it comes up for a vote.
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Oklahoma City Nursing Home Fire Causes Injuries
Six staff members were hospitalized with smoke inhalation injuries after a fire broke out at an Oklahoma City nursing home. According to a report in The Oklahoman, the fire began at the South Park Health Care Center on Ross Avenue. Officials say that staff members were able to help residents get out of the building before any of them were injured. The six injured nursing home staff members sustained smoke-related illnesses but have been listed in good condition. It is not clear from the report what caused the fire or how it could have been prevented.
In this incident, the sprinkler system successfully put out the fire before it spread. The report does not specify how much of the building was damaged, but the workers were able to keep the residents safe during the fire. After an incident where workers or residents are hurt, an investigation typically takes place to determine if the building has been built to code and properly maintained. Inspectors may also review the escape plan, the implementation of that plan, the effectiveness of the sprinkler system, and if the fire alarms are in proper working order.
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Nursing Home Safety Advocates Demand State Officials Resign
A Perfect Cause, one of Oklahoma’s primary advocate groups for the safety of nursing home residents is demanding the resignation of seven of the state’s top officials, according to a report by KFOR.
On January 8, associates with A Perfect Cause held a private meeting with the governor’s office to discuss the alleged misconduct and consequent termination or resignation of seven state officials with the Oklahoma Department of Health and Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). This includes the state health commissioner and the director of the DHS.
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Group Says Oklahoma Officials Regulating Nursing Homes Should Be Fired
Family members of nursing home neglect and abuse victims in Oklahoma piled into the state Capitol demanding the state officials regulating those care facilities to step down or be fired from their positions. According to a news report on KFOR.com, family members talked about loved ones who took falls, suffered horrible infections, dehydration and malnutrition – all in nursing facilities that had promised to take care of them. The group, which calls itself A Perfect Cause is rallying to get seven state officials fired. Group members say that if these officials do not quit, they will file legal action against the state.
The protestors allege that the regulatory agencies have failed to protect vulnerable and elderly nursing home residents by allowing care facilities to self-investigate serious incidents. But Department of Health officials say they investigate all complaints against nursing homes. Also, according to a national study conducted by Families for Better Care, Oklahoma ranks 48th out of the 50 states when it comes to nursing home care.
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Federal Regulators Say Care Homes Should Provide CPR to Residents in Distress
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has come out strongly against policies in nursing homes and assisted living facilities that prohibit cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for residents in distress. According to McKnights.com, unless a resident has a “do-not-resuscitate” order or advance directive in place, nursing homes must provide CPR to a resident in cardiac arrest. Violation of this policy could result in survey citations and steep fines, federal officials warned in a recent memo to care facilities.
Federal officials say there is a general shift in nursing home populations with younger, short-stay residents choosing to stay in these homes. Scientific research shows CPR is effective with this group. The law also requires CPR-certified staff to be available at nursing homes and care facilities at all times.
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