eldercareadvocates.org » Nursing Home

Senator wants more independence for nursing-home watchdog

eldercar — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:55:15 +0000

I had a long talk with Brian Lee, former state ombudsman, Florida. He called to get information on our efforts in California to create an independent state ombudsman office, and also ask if we could share our compiled research on the different states with him and his group. They want to identify the best state model and adapt it to FL. I shared with him that we had nailed the best independent models down to CO and Washington, and sent him all our research on those two states.

What started out as a very bad situation in FL, with Brian being fired for doing his job as an ombudsman, could end up creating the independent state ombudsman office there. Brian will keep us updated on their progress in Fl.

This could be very good for our efforts here in CA.
Source: orlandosentinel.com

TALLAHASSEE — A senator who oversees Florida’s seniors wants to see the state’s nursing home watchdog given more independence following Gov. Rick Scott ‘s decision to fire the long-term care ombudsman and complaints that he was “muzzling” the office.

Ventura County is Center of Least-Medicating Movement

eldercar — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:30:49 +0000

Original Source
CANHR – California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
by Michael Connors, CANHR Advocate

Ventura County might seem like an unlikely base for a statewide movement to end the misuse of psychoactive drugs on nursing home residents, but thanks to a unique mix of tireless long-term care Ombudsman, dedicated and curious care providers, and some world-class experts, all of Ventura County is buzzing with the opportunity to offer cutting-edge dementia care to its residents. Continue reading →

Let Them Eat Chocolate, Says Advocate of Change in Senior Care

eldercar — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:15:45 +0000

Original Source
Ventura County Star
By Tom Kisken
August 11, 2011

At Tena Alonzo’s nursing home, residents sleep as late as they want. Care schedules revolve around their convenience, not the staff’s. If they’re used to a small cocktail at night, they have one.

And they eat what they want — chocolate or dessert before dinner — regardless of their health.

“If you’re 85 and you’re demented and it’s the end of your life, isn’t it time to eat lemon pie even if you’re diabetic?” she said before talking to Ventura County nursing home operators Thursday about following a style of care presented as a national model. “Isn’t it time to just enjoy whatever in life is important to you?”

Called a culture of comfort, it revolves around the principle that if residents are comfortable they’ll be happy. There won’t be the need for physical restraints or powerful antipsychotic drugs to control their behavior, Alonzo said. Continue reading …

Taylor-Stein: Make ‘least drugging’ a nursing-home norm

eldercar — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:43:28 +0000

Frail and vulnerable residents of nursing homes throughout California are being dosed with powerful anti-psychotic drugs, leading to painful spasms, tremors, lethargy, a higher risk of harmful falls, infections and even death. Making matters worse, the drugs often cause behavioral problems, leading to even more drugs.

Reform Sought For State Homes’ Monitor

eldercar — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:58:22 +0000

A California watchdog office charged with protecting people in nursing homes too often loses its voice on vital issues ranging from inadequate staffing to the use of antipsychotic drugs, according to a Ventura County seniors advocate who is heading a drive to turn the state-run program into an independent entity.

Read more—