Let's face it, we are all getting older, and that is a good thing.
But there might come a time in our lives when we will need to know more about a nursing home or an assisted living facility.
Below are some facts and pointers recently presented at the FLARA Annual Convention. The source for these facts come from Morgan and Morgan.
In Florida, 20% of the nursing home population is over 65 years of age.
10% are over 70
500,000 are over 85.
There are 683 nursing homes with an average capacity of 85%
There are 3,089 assisted living facilities.
The industries employ 260,000 people and have a revenue of $9 billion.
NURSING HOMES---Residents are usually sicker and more dependent. There is 24/7 nursing care. State mandated minimum staffing, 2.5 to 1. Federal Medicare regulations for a sufficient staff of 2.5 to 1. The residents Rights are in Florida Statute 400.022.
Assisted Living Facilities---Residents are more independent; i.e. must be able to transfer with assistance. Nurses are not required at all times. No minimum staffing regulations. No Federal Medicare regulations. Residents rights are in Florida Statue 429.28.
Rights for both types of facilities include a safe and decent living environment. A place with dignity and respect, appropriate healthcare and a system for grievances.
There is State oversight for both. Agency for Health Care Admin., the AHCA. Department of Children and families, DCF. Florida's Long-term Care Ombudsman. Inspection surveys are not always unannounced. Maximum State fine of $15,000, with the average of $4.500. There are cursory investigations. A star rating system where the 30 worst homes are placed on a public 'Watch List'.
WHAT CAN FLARA DO TO HELP? Lobby the Healthcare , Insurance, Judiciary Senate Committee members. Increase minimum staffing requirements. Increase administrative authority, undercover operations truly unannounced, increase fines. Mandatory liability insurance limits--at least mandatory insurance disclosure to consumers.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? Research beforehand. Tour the facility--all floors and if a nursing home, the long term wing. Do not sign the arbitration agreement--strike through it if necessary. Get to know the staff by name. Make written complaints-not just verbal discussions. Look for slow response times, soiled clothing and linens, unexplained infections, skin breakdown-bedsores-, poor hygiene or falls.
I hope that no one receiving this e mail needs either information in the near future. But as educators, we know that information is power. No one wants to see a repeat of the tragic nursing home deaths from last Fall.
I hope this information might be useful
Stewart H. Cohen
West Coast U.F.T. R.T.C. Section Coordinator
Political Action Coordinator
Political Action Coordinator
Florida UFT Retired Teachers Section