Lauren Ellerman

Big news this weekend – recent study finds nursing homes owned by investor groups, provide lower quality care that those not owned by investor groups. I am not at all surprised. We have long discussed the competing interest of stockholders, and patients. Patients require the best care possibility, and morally…

Nurses, are the cornerstone of American healthcare. And this is not only my opinion, but look at any long term care facility, hospital or doctor’s office and you will have to agree. Most of the healthcare provided today, is by nurses. So why aren’t they paid more? Why aren’t more…

I spent a few hours yesterday researching “elopement” cases in long term care facilities…. Yes, I mean accidents that occur when a resident leaves the facility, unattended. Many long term care residents are in good physical shape, such that they can walk and ambulate without assistance. If your loved one…

It is a sad state of the world, when states have to create laws that prohibit abusing an elderly patient of a long term care facility… but because abuse happens, states have responded. Today I read a published case from Missouri where the Court held a nursing home administrator yelling…

Advocates tell of failures at Atria Senior LivingCompany operates senior facility in SalisburyBusiness Wire“As the assisted living industry celebrates National Assisted Living Week (Sept. 9 – 15), the Campaign to Improve Assisted Living and SEIU Healthcare are reminding the public that all is not well in the country’s assisted living…

I know you may not think that the “arbitration clause” portion of a health care contract is a big deal… but if that health care provider has caused pain/suffering to a loved one, then the arbitration clause becomes a HUGE BIG DEAL.The hospital/nursing home can sue you in the local…

Nebraska TV Station reports:O’Neill, NE Nursing Home Fined For Leaving Resident UnattendedA northeast Nebraska care center has been fined for leaving an elderly resident unattended.A report, done by the state department of Health and Human Services, says representatives of the Golden Living Center, in O’Neill, Nebraska, discharged a resident because…

Well – some of them do at least…. and I think thats great. They should make more, but EVERYONE should – the CNA’s / Med Techs – especially the care givers. Article here:August 22 2007Nursing home operators value good nursing leaders, the latest results from the nation’s most in-depth nursing-home…

Read all about it here – http://docwatch.wordpress.com/2007/08/24/roanoke-pharmacist-gives-it-up/

My local paper printed an article from the AP yesterday, Early ovarian surgery linked to dementia By MALCOLM RITTER, AP Science Writer. Read the full article here.Mr. Ritter writes that “women who have their ovaries removed before menopause run a heightened risk of developing dementia or other mental problems later…