(Also see: Elder Abuse )
(Also see: Coronavirus)
Phony Diagnoses Hide High Rates of Drugging at Nursing Homes
(DNYUZ — September 11, 2021)
The handwritten doctor’s order was just eight words long, but it solved a problem for Dundee Manor, a nursing home in rural South Carolina struggling to handle a new resident with severe dementia….The home’s doctor wanted him on an antipsychotic medication called Haldol, a powerful sedative….Antipsychotic drugs — which for decades have faced criticism as “chemical straitjackets” — are dangerous for older people with dementia….
A New York Times investigation found a similar pattern of questionable diagnoses nationwide.
“CT relaxes restrictions on indoor nursing home visits”
(Connecticut Mirror — September 28, 2020)
Gatherings may now be scheduled without a doctor’s note….Nursing homes must identify a space — a cluster of rooms, or a dedicated common area — for the gatherings and clean those spaces after each visit. Visitations must be scheduled in advance and the number of guests per resident at a time my be limited.
More on Coronavirus
More on Connecticut
“‘Quality of Life is Medically Necessary’: What Nursing Home Residents’ Families Want in a Post-COVID World”
(Skilled Nursing News — September 20, 2020)
After months of advocacy and evolving regulations in her home state of California. Stark was eventually able to conduct a scheduled window visit with her husband toward the end of August….
Mental wellness is huge. That’s a foreign concept at skilled nursing facilities. And I know here in California, it’s supposed to be part of their milieu. For people who are in custodial are, it’s supposed to be part of their milieu services, and they have no idea what that means. When even asking for a friend about a year ago, who was telling me she was depressed and so forth: It’s like, well, we can have a psychiatrist see her, and then they can put her on some meds.
“Nursing Home Visitation — COVID-19”
(Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services — September 17, 2020)
Visitation guidance for visitation in nursing homes during the COVID-19 PHE. The guidance provides the way in which a nursing home can safely facilitate in-person visitation to address the psychosocial needs of residents.
“Nursing Home Compare”
(Medicare.gov)
“Find a nursing home” has detailed information about every Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country.
