Recognizing Long-Term Care Providers In SW Florida
Bryan Greenberg
Premises Liability
During the month of November, we observe long-term care for the care of men and women over the age of 65 and their need for assisted living. This includes helping them with their daily needs and assisting them with support and compassion. It is about helping them not to feel neglected during the most important part of their lives. This month is dedicated to seniors who do not have access to long-term care and what you can do to participate in Long Term Care Awareness Month.The History Of National Long-Term Care Awareness Month
Long-term care facilities have existed since the 17th century as Nursing homes were introduced by English settlers to help the elderly, orphaned, and mentally ill. This tradition still exists in this century where seniors' fundamental living requirements are met in these types of institutions. During the great depression, extended care institutions were overburdened as the elderly over the age of 60 needed more assistance for personal and healthcare requirements.
In the 1960s nursing homes became extremely popular across the United States as more seniors opted to outsource long-term care. Long-term care facilities provided assistance for daily activities as well as meals and medical attention. Through the 70s and 80s, Nursing homes became nicer and higher quality care was demanded. The Nursing Home Act was established in 1987 to establish long-term care services for the elderly.
November was designated Long-Term care awareness month in 2001 to create awareness for nursing homes and how they provide care to the elderly over the age of 65. Now the nursing home is more modern and has wifi, air-conditioning, entertainment and some even have coffee bars.
Now That Retirement Homes Are More Advanced - And Expensive - Planning Ahead Is Important
There is a growing need to plan ahead for seniors in the United States for their long-term care. Listed are facts that show the growing need for long-term care and our need to plan ahead for seniors in the Southwest Florida area.
Medicare and other forms of health insurance do not cover long-term care in a nursing home. Medicaid will cover this type of care but only if you qualify for Medicaid.
The average cost of long-term care in the U.S. is 73,000 per year in a nursing home; in Southwest Florida, a nursing home can cost $100,000 per. year. A three-year stay can easily cause a family to go bankrupt.
The federal government reports that 70% of people who reach the age of 65 will require long-term care services at some point in their lives.
Americans live longer and celebrating their 80th birthday is not uncommon and a long life increases the chances of needing long-term care.
Currently, approximately 80 million baby boomers live in the U.S.
Moving a family member into a long-term care facility such as a nursing home or assisted living facility or another residential facility can be difficult or challenging for all who are involved. If you are faced with this decision, there are many factors that you will want to consider from the location and amenities to what type of care is needed and cost can be a factor. No matter which nursing home you choose you will want your loved one to be treated with the highest level of care, dignity and safety obtainable but sometimes this just isn’t the case.
During the month of November, we recognize National Long-Term Care Awareness Month to discuss opportunities to improve care for our elderly loved ones.
Ways To Asses Your Options For Choosing Long-Term Care
Call the places on your list to see if they meet your requirements and if they have a room available
Make a list of things that are important to you and your loved one, such as location, specialty care ( such as a special unit for patients with dementia), religious affiliation or services or on-site hospice care.
Related: How to find an Assisted Living Facility for Seniors With Disabilities
Talk with friends and relatives to see if they have recommendations based on their experiences. Your insurance company and health care provider may also be able to help.
Once your list has been narrowed down you will want to visit each site and tour and talk with staff members. Medicare providers have an extensive list for assessing a nursing home option. This list includes important certifications, inspection reports, licensures, fees and staffing information, as well as things you should look for and ask when touring a facility.
Unfortunately, despite everyone's best efforts and good intentions the elderly people in our lives do not always receive the level of care they should receive. Many times determining liability is not always a simple matter as shown through lawsuits involving hurricane Ian.
Hurricane Ian caused considerable damage to Florida's west coast area and many Florida nursing homes and assisted living facilities were forced to evacuate residents in the ensuing melee, resident injuries occurred. Unfortunately, some Florida nursing homes and assisted living facilities were not prepared for Hurricane Ian. If your loved one wrongfully died in a nursing home or Assisted Living Facility after Hurricane Ian, have our experienced lawyers at All Injuries investigate the issue for you to see if you have a case at no cost to you.
Florida nursing home laws require that skilled nursing and assisted facilities are prepared for hurricane evacuations like these and that Florida healthcare facilities safely and efficiently secure safe housing for their residents. Florida healthcare facilities are required to have backup generators and emergency fuel on-site to maintain operations and keep their patients alive.
Despite the strengthened regulations on hurricane preparedness hundreds of Florida facilities were not in compliance with Florida law on hurricane evacuation and safety measures. In anticipation of Ian making landfall, administrators toured over 300 sites that were identified as not in compliance with Florida law. During a meeting with assisted living providers, AHCA Secretary expressed concerns about long-term care facilities' preparation for Hurricane Ian in the event of power outages.
In response to this, the Florida legislature has required that facilities report to the state their census, available beds, evacuation status, and generator status information. This detailed information allows the state of Florida to know whether a nursing home is prepared to handle a hurricane like Ian. If the facility is not prepared for power outages, or its generators are not functioning, the information system will trigger an emergency evacuation of the facility's residents. As of today, 87% of all residential facilities have reported to this HFRS system.
Statistics show that mortality rates in Florida nursing homes have increased by almost 25% in the 30 days following this major hurricane. This increase in nursing home deaths due to hurricane Ian is unacceptable. Our attorneys are standing by to assist you in explaining your rights during this trying time. If you have had an injury or wrongful death due to hurricane Ian contact one of our attorneys at All Injuries Law Firm to discuss your legal rights with you.
You may also have a loved one who has been injured in an auto accident or workplace accident and is now living in an assisted living community. We can come to you to assist you with your case. Contact one of our local lawyers today for a free consultation.