A report this week in a St. Louis paper is raising eyebrows and concern over conditions in nursing homes. According to the report, no one's watching the homes, and that's leading to the abuse and neglect of residents. Wednesday we visited a Heartland nursing home, which admittedly has been fined for past violations itself, minor though in comparison to what that report says happens at nursing homes every day.
According to the series of special reports this week in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, nursing homes paid by the government or families to provide food, drink, shelter and medical care often fail to do so, and their residents die from this neglect. The report says those responsible for investigating are overworked, that autopsies are rarely done, medical records are sometimes falsified, and nursing home officials are often less than forthright in discussing incidents leading up to the death! Just some of the incredible problems facing the industry.
Glenda Cato, Administrator of Heartland Care and Rehab says, "I don't think they understand that nursing homes work really hard to give quality care to people who have no family and no funding." The results of that report concern Cato. "Basically I've seen in this area quality care of nursing homes, a lot of quality people," she says. Cato says someone is watching the nursing homes, at least her's, in fact her home has been cited before. "I remember a time when I got a dumpster open deficiency, the lid was open, it was empty. There was one time I had to count cigarette butts where my employees park."
State inspectors come into town with no warning, they dropped in to Heartland Care and Rehab Tuesday morning. Cato says she's not concerned with them finding anything major, because they don't get ready for inspectors, they stay ready.
Elaine Shirrell volunteers at the center once a week because she was happy with the treatment her father received until he lost his battle with Alzheimer's. "I think you can tell the way they act if they're happy or not, this was his home."
And that report isn't all bad either, it does point out that there are some good, quality nursing homes that have well-trained staff. So the moral may be a diligent family keeping an eye on the conditions of their loved-one's home.
There are differences in the brains of athletes who play contact sports and those who play noncontact sports, according to researchers.
There are differences in the brains of athletes who play contact sports and those who play noncontact sports, according to researchers.
For most, playing online video games is largely a harmless hobby. But a new review finds that some fall prey to what experts call "internet gaming disorder."
For most, playing online video games is largely a harmless hobby. But a new review finds that some fall prey to what experts call "internet gaming disorder."
The makeup of bacteria in your dog's digestive tract may be more like your own than you think, researchers say.
The makeup of bacteria in your dog's digestive tract may be more like your own than you think, researchers say.
New research sheds light on why some people's blood pressure is especially sensitive to salt.
New research sheds light on why some people's blood pressure is especially sensitive to salt.
Women are more likely than men to suffer a knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. But -- surprisingly -- the injury occurs the same way in both genders, a new study reveals.
Women are more likely than men to suffer a knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. But -- surprisingly -- the injury occurs the same way in both genders, a new study reveals.
There is an investigation into a multi-state cluster of E. coli infections linked to chopped romaine lettuce.
There is an investigation into a multi-state cluster of E. coli infections linked to chopped romaine lettuce.
Indiana health officials are advising residents to get vaccinated for hepatitis A if their summer plans include visits to Kentucky or Michigan.
Indiana health officials are advising residents to get vaccinated for hepatitis A if their summer plans include visits to Kentucky or Michigan.
Kentucky officials say three deaths have now been reported in a hepatitis A outbreak in six counties.
Kentucky officials say three deaths have now been reported in a hepatitis A outbreak in six counties.
There's an extra bonus to marriage for melanoma patients: New research says they tend to be diagnosed in earlier more treatable stages than patients who are unmarried, widowed or divorced.
There's an extra bonus to marriage for melanoma patients: New research says they tend to be diagnosed in earlier more treatable stages than patients who are unmarried, widowed or divorced.
Of the three who were wrongly diagnosed with cancer, two underwent lumpectomies and radiation treatments.
Of the three who were wrongly diagnosed with cancer, two underwent lumpectomies and radiation treatments.
Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau is now offering the LINX Reflux Management System procedure for those who suffer from acid reflux.
Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau is now offering the LINX Reflux Management System procedure for those who suffer from acid reflux.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health is recommending hepatitis A vaccinations for everyone in six counties associated with an outbreak of the illness.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health is recommending hepatitis A vaccinations for everyone in six counties associated with an outbreak of the illness.
New research suggests that many more lung cancer patients may benefit from treatments that boost the immune system, which have scored some of their biggest wins until now in less common forms of the disease.
New research suggests that many more lung cancer patients may benefit from treatments that boost the immune system, which have scored some of their biggest wins until now in less common forms of the disease.
Since Jan. 1, the Kentucky Department of Health has confirmed 103 cases of acute Hepatitis A.
Since Jan. 1, the Kentucky Department of Health has confirmed 103 cases of acute Hepatitis A.
The CDC said 35 people have gotten sick and 22 were hospitalized - three of whom had a type of kidney failure.
The CDC said 35 people have gotten sick and 22 were hospitalized - three of whom had a type of kidney failure.