New York Nursing Facilities: Not Making the Grade

Choosing a nursing facility for a loved one is a difficult and sometimes dangerous decision. Even families with the best intentions make choices that lead to devastating consequences. Recently, an advocacy group for nursing home residents put together a national report card for nursing facilities — and New York does not make the grade.

Elder abuse and nursing home negligence occur in every state in the country. Whether an elderly person suffers from lack of care or the wrong kind of care, nursing homes can be fraught with danger for fragile and ailing older Americans.

Families for Better Care, a Florida-based group, used federal criteria to rank and grade each state based on regulatory violations, staffing numbers and other factors. Across the country, 11 states received failing marks for nursing home care. Unfortunately, New York was one of them.

Findings relative to New York nursing facilities include:

• New York received a grade of F and ranks 45th among 50 states for quality of nursing care, keeping company with Michigan, Nevada, Illinois and Iowa.
• The group found that nursing service in New York facilities was inadequate, with barely 40 minutes of service per day accorded to patients by nursing staff.
• The complaint verification rate of the New York state nursing ombudsman was high compared to other states, signifying poor care in far too many nursing homes.
• New York State ranked as the worst state in the Northeast region.

These findings pose disturbing questions for families with loved ones in nursing facilities and those considering the quality of care for senior loved ones in our state.

If you are concerned that a loved one is suffering neglect or abuse in New York, seek reputable advice from experienced legal counsel. Se habla español.