An alarming statistic reported in March 2017 by the Plain Dealer revealed
that two of every five nursing homes in Ohio fail to provide the proper
care to their residents. With these facilities cutting corners, substandard
care can take many forms of abuse and neglect, including dehydration,
malnutrition, and unsanitary living conditions. And because of this abuse,
Ohio families have seen their loved ones badly injured or killed.
Even more alarming for the state of Ohio is that it has some of the lowest rated nursing homes in the nation. In the Plain Dealer’s analysis of Ohio’s nursing homes, A Critical Choice, they found that, as of December 1, almost 41 percent of the facilities in Ohio earned a below-average rating of one or two stars as compared to the national average, 35 percent. This data is recorded by Nursing Home Compare, a government program which informs consumers about the quality of Medicare and Medicaid-participating nursing homes.
Authorities concluded that within the past three years, at least 31 Ohio nursing home deaths were because of substandard care. Based on our firm’s experience, this number is actually much higher because authorities rely on self-reporting by nursing homes.
When looking at a nursing home for your loved one, there are many factors to consider. First, tour the facility and review indicators such as security, the staff, cleanliness, meals, and call light response. Also, be sure to get answers to questions such as:
- How many nurses or aides are there per resident? What is the employee turn-over rate? What is the employee background check process?
- How often is each resident seen by a physician?
- How often are residents bathed?
- Who is my contact if I have questions or concerns?
- Is the nursing home able to care for a resident with our loved one’s specific needs?
Always remember to keep record of all documents submitted and received from the nursing home, be aware of grievance procedures and include your loved one in important decisions. If the nursing home has an arbitration procedure, opt out of it.
If you suspect your loved one is or was a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, do not hesitate to contact our Cleveland nursing home abuse lawyers at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP for a free consultation.
