Elder Law

Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act Important

By Levin & Perconti

In nursing homes across the countries, employees were hired who had criminal backgrounds for numerous felons. By hiring these employees, the nursing home had placed their patients into a dangerous situation. This reason alone is why the U.S. Senate Finance Committee?s Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act is so important. The National Council on Aging has stated that ?This legislation would create a framework and provide funding for a coordinated nationwide system of background checks for long-term care employees.? This system will allow public and private employers to prevent vile abuses among those who are disabled or frail elderly in need of long-term care. According to a government document, in 2004 the staffs of state adult protective services agencies received more than 500,000 reports of elder and vulnerable adult abuse. There were 4,000 complaints of physical abuse, more than 800 complaints of sexual abuse, and nearly 1,000 complaints of financial abuse in one year alone. This reason alone points to the absolute necessity of strong, enforceable legislation. To read the full story, click here.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on September 22, 2008 (boomark / email).