Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Sexual Abuse Of Those In Nursing Homes Going Unreported, Undocumented
Sacramento Bee: America’s Hidden Horror: Sexual Abuse In Nursing Homes And Care Facilities
Sexual abuse of residents in long-term care facilities, assisted-living centers and nursing homes is a largely hidden problem nationwide. It hides behind reporting systems that fail to catalog such complaints separately from other forms of abuse that afflict the elderly and disabled. (Davis and Cummings, 4/23)
In other news —
Augusta Chronicle: Prosecution Of Caregivers Of At-Risk Adults Is Rare In Georgia
Prosecution of caregivers of at-risk adults is rare in Georgia, and it’s not because of a decline in the abuse, neglect and exploitation of elderly and disabled adults. Between 2008 and 2012, reports of such crimes climbed 65 percent in the state. But law enforcement and prosecutors are starting to seriously dig into the crimes. (Hodson, 4/23)
The Oregonian: 11 Elder Care Complaints Oregon Hid From Consumers
A taxpayer-funded website for consumers leaves out nearly 8,000 substantiated complaints against senior care centers in Oregon. The complaints include cases of abuse, neglect and substandard care. Every one led the state to find a facility in violation of state rules. Here are 11 examples of complaints the website keeps hidden from view. Facilities are supposed to devise written plans for residents that specify things like how many people are needed to safely move them from a bed to a wheelchair. Under state rules, abuse can include an “active or passive” failure to provide the basic care needed to keep residents healthy and safe. (4/21)
