Choosing a Florida Nursing Home for Your Loved One
When parents, grandparents or other elderly or disabled loved ones need help taking care of themselves, the assisted living facility or nursing home you select can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Many people who could benefit from assistance are hesitant to relocate to a new place, so finding an affordable residence where they feel comfortable can be a real challenge for family members.
There are a wide range of facilities in Florida in terms of services, amenities and special activities provided. Generally, care providers are meant to ensure that the residents they look after are safe, nourished and attended to medically, and that they are able to access the emotional and social support services available to them. When researching available nursing home and assisted living options, it is important to look beyond the facility’s marketing claims to uncover any recent substantiated complaints, sanctions or fines placed against it. This can be accomplished through the FloridaHealthFinder website.
Action is taken by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) when violations are found during an inspection of a nursing home or residence. Data from FloridaHealthFinder shows that from November 2013 to the end of October 2018, there were 2,868 substantiated complaints for assisted living facilities statewide, as well as nearly 3,000 sanctions/final orders imposed by the AHCA. In total, Florida assisted care facilities were handed more than $3 million in penalty fines. Of AHCA’s actions over the five-year span, 40 substantiated complaints, 66 sanctions/final orders, and $59,525 in penalty fines were for facilities in Lake County. Citrus County, which has a population less than half that of Lake County, saw 25 substantiated complaints, 13 sanctions/final orders from the AHCA, and $12,700 in fines.
When caretakers fail to do their job, the consequences can be devastating for facility residents and their families. There are, however, actions that can be taken to hold negligent or abusive caretakers and facilities accountable for their wrongdoing. Largey Law goes after responsible parties in cases of nursing home abuse. If you believe that a loved one has experienced mistreatment or neglect at a nursing or assisted living facility, call us at 352.508.1485 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. We meet with clients at our offices in Clermont, Inverness and Tavares.
