Nursing home neglect in Indiana’s nursing homes has been identified by the U.S. Office of Accountability as a serious and significant issue.  According to the report, Indiana has more ‘poor performing’ nursing homes than any other state in the U.S.  The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) found only 57 of Indiana’s 500-plus nursing homes without deficiencies. Forty-six were cited for immediate jeopardy, meaning residents had been seriously injured, harmed or had died.  The report was first published in 2009, yet little has been done by policy makers in the state to improve the quality of care to Indiana’s nursing home residents.    In fact recently, it was reported that a bill that would require Indiana nursing homes to comply with a minimum staffing requirements to help prevent inadequate staffing and ensure proper care to the residents was considered “too controversial,” because the nursing home industry has the political power to stall the bill in an effort to protect and expand their profits at the expense of patient care.

In an effort to help raise awareness of of nursing home neglect, AARP recently launched a blog titled “Nursing Home Voices Series” to highlight instances of nursing home care failures by posting a new story each day during the 2011 Indiana Legislative Session.  Hopefully through this effort, AARP can help raise awareness of the poor quality of care found in many of Indiana’s  nursing homes.  The blog is a collection of experiences submitted by current and former residents and their loved ones.  Perhaps through hearing from real constituents, the legislators and other policy makers will be persuaded to take action on Indiana’s poor nursing home quality record.

If you or your loved one is a current or former resident of an Indiana nursing home and you have a story to share, you can submit on their website.  If you feel that as a resident you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer.  Our office offers free consultations with a personal injury attorney who can assist you in holding a nursing home accountable for their actions.