Nursing Home Abuse: Finding Out About California Nursing Home Violations
Posted by
Laura BlattJune 01, 2007 6:51 PMWhen it comes to quality care for the elderly, California nursing homes have a mixed record. Some deliver good service, but too many have been cited for serious deficiencies. In 2005 alone, for example, the California Department of Health Services (DHS) received 21,388 complaints, and this may be an understatement of the problem.
Wouldn't it be helpful to know about a nursing home's history of complaints and violations before you entrust it with the care of your loved one? A new California bill, SB 535, seeks to help you with this mission.
SB 535 would require the California Department of Health Services to establish a web site by March 1, 2008, that would include information about each nursing home and other long-term care facility. It would provide details about complaints, state and federal inspection deficiencies, and enforcement actions, staffing compliance and whether the facility was certified to take Medicare or Medi-Cal patients. Other background information would include number of beds and whether there was a special unit for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Sponsored by California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, SB 535 has passed the Senate and it is now in the Assembly for consideration. Some other SB 535 supporters include the American Association of Retired Persons, the California Alliance for Consumer Protection, the California Alliance for Consumer Protection. the California Alliance for Retired Americans, the California State Association of Counties and the Consumer Attorneys of California.