AG: Longmeadow nursing home among 7 found in state to have deadly negligence, abuse

BOSTON (WWLP) - After a multi-year investigation, Attorney General Maura Healey found 7 nursing homes in Massachusetts that were responsible for patient negligence or death.

In a report released by the Attorney General's office Wednesday, seven Massachusetts nursing homes reached a $500,000 settlement, $85,000 of that settlement will be paid by JGS LifeCare of Longmeadow after a patient got caught in bed rails and died.

Others had similar tragic stories.

"Our mother Betty Ford Crane, affectionately called Betsy would not want anyone to die in the manner that she did," Candi Hitchcock said.

Two sisters, Sammy and Candy shared the story of their mother who did not receive the care she needed during a staffing change, which resulted in her death.

"Long-term care facilities must be accountable to the public and to the commitments made to residents and family members," AG Healey said.

With more than 76,000 baby boomers living and growing older in Massachusetts, the Attorney General's teaming up with the Department of Public Health to prevent future instances of abuse.

The nursing home settlement money will go into a fund to implement strict policy changes.

The Attorney General said that funding and staffing problems were factors of the negligence, but corners were also cut which, in many cases, resulted in death. 

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AG: Longmeadow nursing home among 7 found in state to have deadly negligence, abuse