Health News
- Forum Hears Ideas For Improving Long-term Care In Kentucky
People gathered at the Lexington Senior Citizens Center May 16 to discuss problems with long-term care and potential ways to improve it, at an event organized by the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass. Gov. Steve Beshear requested...
- Beshear To Study Nursing-home Staffing Minimums, Suggests Homes' High Liability Costs Are Related To Poorly Ranked Care
Responding to a letter from Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform, which cited a low ranking for the state's nursing homes, Gov. Steve Beshear said he is "committed to taking steps toward improving the quality of care in Kentucky nursing homes,"...
- Kentucky Nursing Homes Rank 40th In The Nation In New Survey; Reformers Ask Governor To Create Special Task Force For Action
Kentucky got a D grade and a rank of 40th among the states in a new national survey of nursing-home care, and reform advocates are calling on Gov. Steve Beshear and other policymakers to take corrective action. The state ranks lowest in the Southeast,...
- Almost All Nursing Homes Have Employees With Criminal Past, Estimated 5% Of Employees; Background-check Bill Seems Dead
A new federal report says 92 percent of nursing homes employ someone with a criminal record. Most states require such facilities to check the backgrounds of applicants for employment, but the standards vary and some, such as Kentucky, do not...
- Bill Would Require Background Checks For All Nursing Home Staff
A bill filed Tuesday would require that all nursing home staff, not just employees in direct contact with residents, be subject to background checks. State Sen. Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville, right, sponsored the legislation, saying the move would not...
Health News
Beshear backs bills to protect seniors from abuse but doesn't endorse minimum staffing for nursing homes
Gov. Steve Beshear today endorsed a package of previously introduced bills that he said would give the elderly and other adults more protection against abuse and exploitation, but it did not include a bill to set minimum staffing standards for nursing homes, the major measure sought by reformers. The legislation would:
Bernie Vonderheide of Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform told Kentucky Health News, "We think Gov. Beshear is to be applauded for reacting decisively to reports by advocates and the media of abuse and neglect of our state's senior citizens. We hope he will continue giving his attention to these serious matters. For example, he should also support legislation before the General Assembly that would set minimum staffing standards for nursing homes, one of the big causes of abuse and neglect among our seniors."
- Prevent people who abuse or neglect vulnerable or elderly adults from benefiting from their deaths (House Bill 52)
- Keep a person convicted of felony abuse or exploitation of an adult from serving as that victim's guardian, executor or power of attorney (HB 54)
- Make it easier and more efficient for adults and seniors needing a guardian when more than one state is involved. (HB 164)
- Require annual criminal background checks of staff at personal care agencies, a step beyond the pre-hiring check. (Senate Bill 23)
- Require criminal background checks for all employees of nursing homes and assisted living homes, including custodians and food service workers (SB44)
- Create an adult abuse registry (HB101 and SB 38)
Beshear noted that last year he implemented recommendations from a Cabinet for Health and Family Services report investigation of nursing home neglect and abuse and said ?This legislation further strengthens safety standards and will make a significant difference in the lives of Kentucky?s elderly citizens and the people who care for them.? Beshear recently received the Better Life Government Involvement Award from the main nursing-home lobby, the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities.
Bernie Vonderheide of Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform told Kentucky Health News, "We think Gov. Beshear is to be applauded for reacting decisively to reports by advocates and the media of abuse and neglect of our state's senior citizens. We hope he will continue giving his attention to these serious matters. For example, he should also support legislation before the General Assembly that would set minimum staffing standards for nursing homes, one of the big causes of abuse and neglect among our seniors."
- Forum Hears Ideas For Improving Long-term Care In Kentucky
People gathered at the Lexington Senior Citizens Center May 16 to discuss problems with long-term care and potential ways to improve it, at an event organized by the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass. Gov. Steve Beshear requested...
- Beshear To Study Nursing-home Staffing Minimums, Suggests Homes' High Liability Costs Are Related To Poorly Ranked Care
Responding to a letter from Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform, which cited a low ranking for the state's nursing homes, Gov. Steve Beshear said he is "committed to taking steps toward improving the quality of care in Kentucky nursing homes,"...
- Kentucky Nursing Homes Rank 40th In The Nation In New Survey; Reformers Ask Governor To Create Special Task Force For Action
Kentucky got a D grade and a rank of 40th among the states in a new national survey of nursing-home care, and reform advocates are calling on Gov. Steve Beshear and other policymakers to take corrective action. The state ranks lowest in the Southeast,...
- Almost All Nursing Homes Have Employees With Criminal Past, Estimated 5% Of Employees; Background-check Bill Seems Dead
A new federal report says 92 percent of nursing homes employ someone with a criminal record. Most states require such facilities to check the backgrounds of applicants for employment, but the standards vary and some, such as Kentucky, do not...
- Bill Would Require Background Checks For All Nursing Home Staff
A bill filed Tuesday would require that all nursing home staff, not just employees in direct contact with residents, be subject to background checks. State Sen. Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville, right, sponsored the legislation, saying the move would not...