Often, the decision to place a loved one in a nursing home is difficult and emotional for the parties involved. Even so, family members expect that their loved ones will receive the best care in the nursing home.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case and family members may become victims of abuse and fraud instead.
An ex-nursing home administrator is responsible for defrauding residents
According to AP News, a former nursing home administrator is facing an indictment for charges of health care fraud, conspiracy and obstructing a federal audit. Not only did the ex-employee direct her staff to falsify records and make it appear as though her facility met federal staffing requirements, but she was also part of a conspiracy to inflate nursing hours. These actions deprived patients of much needed care while in the facility.
Depriving residents of proper care is neglect
While nursing homes exist to take care of one of America’s most vulnerable populations, some people prioritize the financial success of their facility over the care of the residents. By falsifying records and timecards, staffing needs go answered while patients suffer from a lack of proper care. This type of neglect makes it easier for residents to sustain injuries that are otherwise preventable. An understaffed nursing home can often overlook the needs of residents, resulting in things like bedsores or malnutrition.
Sufficient and competent staffing goes a long way towards providing the elderly with the care they deserve. Not only is it the responsibility of the administrator to hire enough people to accommodate the residents’ needs, but he or she must also hire the right people.
