Delaware residents who need a caregiver for their elderly loved ones now have an easier way to check up on a potential hire.
The state has activated an online Adult Abuse Registry that anyone can access to learn whether a caregiver has been investigated by the Department of Health and Social Services for a complaint of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of the elderly.
The registry has existed for years, but not on the Internet. Previously, anyone making a request to check a name would have to do so in writing and wait for weeks to get the results. With the online registry, the results are instantaneous.
House Majority Whip Valerie J. Longhurst: "I hope this gives people the peace of mind that they can get information and access it quickly."
Longhurst sponsored House Bill 165, which created the online registry and requires health care providers, nursing homes and similar facilities to use it before making a hire. The bill -- championed by AARP of Delaware -- passed the House and Senate unanimously and was signed by Gov. Jack Markell on June 30.
Full Article and Source:
Registry offers instant access to elder care complaints
The state has activated an online Adult Abuse Registry that anyone can access to learn whether a caregiver has been investigated by the Department of Health and Social Services for a complaint of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of the elderly.
The registry has existed for years, but not on the Internet. Previously, anyone making a request to check a name would have to do so in writing and wait for weeks to get the results. With the online registry, the results are instantaneous.
House Majority Whip Valerie J. Longhurst: "I hope this gives people the peace of mind that they can get information and access it quickly."
Longhurst sponsored House Bill 165, which created the online registry and requires health care providers, nursing homes and similar facilities to use it before making a hire. The bill -- championed by AARP of Delaware -- passed the House and Senate unanimously and was signed by Gov. Jack Markell on June 30.
Full Article and Source:
Registry offers instant access to elder care complaints
4 comments:
This is a good beginning, but it overlooks the financial abusers involved with guardianship.
Still, a good beginning.
Sources that are readily available to most folks who are able to use the Internet to search out the good from the bad is a good thing.
I have to wonder how many states have this procedure or plan to follow Deleware's lead?
Aging parents and family members puts a lot of people in a position of needing assistance in caring for our cherished beloved family members. One mistake in making a choice without a way of at least checking people out before services are rendered, and it could be harmful or worse, fatal.
Here's the problem: many people are falsely accused and those complaints go through APS -- prohibiting the accused a chance to defend him/herself.
Those peole -- those innocent people -- would be listed as abusers in the new online adult abuse registry.
These facilities and their management (or lack of it) are scary. There needs to be open public information available.
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