Friday, November 17, 2017

Nursing Home Crisis in Minnesota as 25,000 People Say They Were Sexually or Physically Abused

Minnesota’s largest pro-life organization is calling on public officials to take immediate action to stem the abuse crisis raging at care facilities. Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) urges Gov. Mark Dayton, state lawmakers, the Minnesota Department of Health, law enforcement officials and others to treat dangerous nursing home conditions exposed by recent Star Tribune reports as a public health crisis.
“The magnitude of the abuse of vulnerable adults, and the sorely inadequate response from those charged to protect them, represent a monumental crisis,” said MCCL Executive Director Scott Fischbach. “We are failing our fellow citizens at the time of their greatest need. They deserve respect and protection, not abuse and neglect.”

More than 25,000 complaints of sexual and physical abuse, theft and neglect at the state’s 1,800 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities were reported to the Department of Health last year. The number of complaints has nearly doubled in the last six years; for every 10 residents of these facilities, there are now three reported complaints. Tragically, the state’s response has been too little, too late.

For years MCCL has expressed concerns to state leaders over the backlog of abuse and neglect complaints, but little has been done. Nearly 97 percent of these cases are never investigated. The vast majority of the 85,000 residents are left without legal protection or recourse.

“Enough is enough. The deficit of care for the elderly needs to be addressed immediately and state leaders must set a clear, transparent road forward,” Fischbach said. “Our elderly citizens should never have to fear being abused or even killed in a care facility!”

The state must prioritize the health and well-being of all its citizens, Fischbach added, with special protections for the most vulnerable. To date, the government has failed to do so.

Minnesota demographics indicate that the demand for care facilities will increase dramatically in coming years.

“Our elderly citizens must be treated with dignity and respect,” Fischbach said. “This systemic abuse in care facilities has to be stopped now.”

LifeNews.com Note: Bill Poehler is the communications director for Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life.

Full Article & Source:
Nursing Home Crisis in Minnesota as 25,000 People Say They Were Sexually or Physically Abused

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

My god, how can this be?

illegal detainment combat veteran held against will said...

They are illegally holding my man of 20 years who wants nothing but to come home! they won't let us have any contact they slandered me stating I am bad for my man and fear I will honor his freedom as I tried in May 2017...I was put in jail for 40 days for loving and missing my man so i went to get him...and he was returned to a place he refused to return to but being paralyzed from a stroke has speech and swallow issues they refuse to allow him his rights and choices or freedom...He is a combat veteran who fought for our freedom why should he lose his without legal representation to protect his rights and choices...he has lost severe amount of weight and given drugs that are dangerous with known sensitivities and not giving his bp meds for some time now! he is isolated behind locked doors to prevent getting away...he is not incompetent and the judge declared him incompetent with no doctor diagnosis stating this...he is not receiving any rehab in a rehab facility..
It's very cruel what the legal paid people do against the elderly and vulnerable...I am the person he stated in his directives to care for him and nobody cares to do anything to help my warrior be free again...illegal detainment and cannot fight this time and needs others to rally and fight for him and let this veteran know he is not forgotten...Clarence Leith being held against his will! I live u and miss u Cal! Olivia MN Golden Living Rehab I go back to court Nov. 27 and 28 Renville County..very soon unless they postpone again...PLEASE SHOW SOME SUPPORT SOMEHOW FOR HIM AND HAVE COMPASSION AS IT SEEMS NOBODY DOES ANYMORE PLEASE HELP HIM BE FREE AGAIN SO HE CAN COME HOME AGAIN WHERE HE WANTS TO BE...! with his domestic spouse of 20 years in Arizona and one torture year apart! PLEASE SOMEONE help us be reunited!