If you have a loved one who is currently a resident in a New York nursing home, it is natural to feel concern over the level of care that is being provided. We at the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny understand that nursing home abuse and neglect have become topics of national scrutiny. To provide more transparency, the elder advocacy group Families for Better Care has developed nursing home report cards for each state so that people[...]

According to the New York State Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman, nursing home residents have the right to reasonable standard of care that allows them to maintain a high quality of life. Federal laws provide many resources for those in long-term care and their families to ensure that rights are not violated. One of these is the complaint process through an ombudsman, who has the training, certification and resources to investigate problems identified by residents[...]

Nursing homes are supposed to be safe havens for our elderly loved ones-places where they can be carefully looked after, administered proper medication and treated with kindness and hospitality. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and when problems arise with mistreatment, action should be taken. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are more than half a million reported cases of elder abuse in the United States each year. In addition to this staggering statistic, because[...]

When people in New York talk about nursing home neglect, they typically discuss bedsores, poor nutrition and falls. However, facilities with inadequately trained staff may have another problem that rarely makes it into the media: altercations between residents. Any group of people who live in close quarters may find themselves at odds from time to time, but the medical and mental issues many nursing home residents suffer from often exacerbate the problems. In a study conducted by researchers[...]

If you or a loved one is in a nursing home in New York that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding, it must pass surveys and inspections by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approximately once each year. According to CMS, a facility that has significant deficiencies may not automatically be penalized or closed, but it would probably be enrolled in a Special Focus Facility program if there is a history of poor performance. The past record of[...]

As people age, they often lose mobility because of injuries or conditions such as arthritis. Because of this loss, seniors often choose to live a nursing home where they can get assistance and maintain their best level of health. Even with the extra help, those who are bound to a sitting or reclining position most of the time are at risk for bedsores. The Mayo Clinic explains that nursing home residents who cannot reposition their bodies well often[...]

Moving into a nursing home facility in New York is often a major life change for older people who are becoming dependent on others for care. However, the increase in health needs may make the choice inevitable. In their new living environment, seniors may require mental health care in addition to the medical attention they receive for their physical ailments. According to the New York State Department of Health, a number of screening tools must be used to[...]

Federal and state laws regulate nursing home facilities in New York. So, you should be able to have confidence that your loved one will be protected from harm and treated with respect, giving him or her the ability to maintain their best possible quality of life. However, according to USA Today, a recent audit casts doubt on whether the New York State Department of Health has properly managed the enforcement of the laws meant to protect nursing home[...]

With the older generations living longer and longer due to advances in medicine and healthcare, our nursing homes are also getting more populated and necessary. Today, about 1.4 million adults live in nursing homes. With this number higher than ever, it is important to note that many nursing home patients are not receiving the care that they need and deserve. By the year 2050, olderly people aged 65 and older are expected to make up over 20% of[...]

While much media attention has been focused on the risks that nursing home residents in New York may be exposed to from staff neglect, negligent nursing home security creates another threat that you should consider. Although acts of violence by an outside intruder may be somewhat rare, Provider magazine notes that they do occur, and nursing home residents and staff have been injured or killed as a result. At the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny, we have[...]