Many Nursing Homes Not Up To Standard, New Report Finds
Missouri nursing home and elder abuse attorneys have always been concerned about the escalating rates of nursing home abuse and neglect in the state. A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has revealed that a Medicare program intended to evaluate the conditions of nursing homes in the United States has overlooked hundreds of facilities that provide substandard care. According to the news report, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has listed up to 13 nursing homes as "special focus facilities," which means that they are inspected more frequently because they received low grades for their living condition. However, a recent GAO report finds that Medicare and Medicaid still may have overlooked 580 nursing homes in this category.
The Senate Aging Committee is considering expanding the program to include facilities that are still underperforming, but have not been included in the special focus list. This is important because many consumers who are looking to place their loved ones in nursing homes are counting on Medicare and Medicaid's information to select a nursing home. However, many don't realize that the "approved" homes on the Nursing Home Compare list may not really provide quality care.
If you are looking to place your loved one in a nursing home, please understand that it pays to be proactive and spend some additional time doing in-person research before you make a decision. Nursing home advocates say that families need to visit, take a tour of the facility and spot danger signs such as lack of hygiene, depressed residents or unkempt surroundings. Any of these symptoms should raise red flags right away. If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in Missouri, please contact a St. Louis nursing home and elder abuse attorney at Page Cagle for a free consultation. We will make sure you get the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve. Call 866-620-575 today.
