Monday, July 27, 2009

Elderly Rights in Nursing Homes

A recent court case of Sarah Grammer v. John J. Kane Regional Centers-Glen Hazel that a private cause of action does exist under federal civil rights laws gives families who suspect abuse of their elderly loved one more options to bring action against a federally supported nursing care facility.

The Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) passed in 1987 gave the elderly more specific rights by stating that certain actions, such as restraining a patient, had to have a doctor's written order. This newest ruling in the Grammer case further empowers the rights of the elderly and the option of the family to pursue civil actions against suspected abuse.

This decision furthers the cause of elderly rights that need to be widely publicized as much as possible in order to make public nursing homes have a bit more fear of reprisals if they do not insure that care workers are doing the most to treat the helpless elderly with the respect and dignity that every human being deserves.

Full Article and Source:
Pittsburgh based court case ruling gives stronger recourse against elder abuse

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The elderly do not have nursing home rights - the nursing home lobby sees to that!

Anonymous said...

I am glad this case - Grammer v Kane Regional Centers - helps the elderly's options.

But, not long ago, George W. Bush, in one of his final acts, signed a law that facilities don't have to turn over records, right?

So, how does this help?

Anonymous said...

If we don't clean up nursing homes, then we will find ourselves abused and neglected in them when we get old.

Anonymous said...

If more families sued nursing homes that provide poor care, nursing homes would straighten up.

Anonymous said...

Wake up America, it's up to us to stand up and demand change.

Anonymous said...

Publicizing bad behavior works. People who do bad on purpose don't care about anything but themselves -- and the public perception of them.

Publicity works.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Anonymous 1, nursing homes control the ball game - that's why it's so hard to regulate them and make any meaningful reform.

They have deep pockets and deep pockets buy them favors.

Anonymous said...

There's so much collusion, you can never "get" a nursing home.