The nursing home abuse and negligence attorneys at BISNAR | CHASE have been constantly concerned about the poor oversight of California nursing homes. Earlier this year we noted that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger cut funding significantly for nursing home ombudsman programs across California. These programs consist of volunteers who may go into nursing homes and conduct sudden inspections or follow up on complaints from families of nursing home residents relating to abuse, negligence or fraud.
However, a San Francisco area woman, Angel Carter, found out the tough way that these ombudsman programs are utterly inefficient and unresponsive now because they simply do not have the staff or manpower to follow up on complaints. According to a news report in the Contra Costa Times, Carter first had a problem with Eden Manor in Oakland after she found her elderly mother in a wheelchair soaked in urine because the staff had not changed her in more than 24 hours.
Lack of Oversight
When she complained to the California Department of Social Services, things changed. A year later, Carter complained, this time to the ombudsman program, after clothing belonging to her 89-year-old legally blind mother, Naomi Kees, went missing and the nursing home staff did not appear to recognize that the woman had suffered a stroke in September for which she was hospitalized. California law requires nursing home neglect and abuse to be reported. But increasingly, consumers such as Carter, are finding out that their complaints will get no prompt response or help.
There is no question that the system is overwhelmed and needs a complete overhaul. For example the Oakland ombudsman program's funding got cut from $360,000 to $160,000 as part of the state budget cuts. They now have one person to log complaints flowing in from 400 nursing homes in the area. This is ridiculous! Nursing home oversight should be a top priority given the fact that more and more seniors are going into these facilities and will continue to, in the coming years.
An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Civil remedies are available for victims of nursing home abuse and negligence by contacting an experienced California personal injury lawyer. However, it is always good for families to look for warning signs and to do their research before entrusting their loved ones to a facility. One of the most important steps you can take before selecting a caregiver is to thoroughly inspect the home. Advocates also caution families against relying on rating systems such as Medicare's nursing home comparison Web site, which may not tell the whole story. You can also ask if the facility does confidential customer and resident satisfaction surveys and ask to see the results. Another good question to ask is about employee turnover and how long the administrator has been on board. For more information, please visit the California Department of Public Health Web site.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
SLS Consulting