Kentucky Group Calls for Nursing Home Task Force
Following a series of newspaper stories on the prevalence of nursing home abuse in Kentucky, an advocacy group is calling for the governor to appoint a special task force to combat the problem. A series in the Kentucky Herald-Leader has reported that Kentucky nursing homes have had more than 100 citations for serious violations over the past three years, but that few have been prosecuted as crimes.
The newspaper's investigation found that of the 107 Type A citations that were issued over the past three years, only seven were prosecuted as crimes. Type A citations are the most serious that the state issues and are reserved for severe neglect or abuse that typically leads to severe injuries or death of residents.
The newspaper found that so few were prosecuted due to a combination of complicated system and the lack of will. The state attorney general is notified of all Type A citations, but must get the permission of local prosecutors to prosecute them as a crime. Most local prosecutors are never informed of the cases. In addition, the investigation found that at least five of the cases over the past three years were never even properly delivered to the attorney general.
Though this investigation focused on Kentucky, there is a similar lack of will to prosecute nursing home staff and administrators throughout the country. This is why it is important for nursing home residents and their families to be diligent in detecting and preventing abuse and neglect.
For more information on nursing home abuse and neglect, please visit the Nursing Home Advocates.
Issues Discussed in the Post:
