A 32-year-old resident of Falmouth Nursing Home in KY who suffered from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, brain injuries and diabetes went missing from the facility on August 4th of this year; he was found dead on September 3rd according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. While it isn’t unusual for patients to wander off in facilities where staff to patient ratios are a bit uneven, the founder of Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform, Bernie Vonderheide, has called for action.
Vonderheide has requested that Governor Steve Beshear take steps toward implementing minimum staff-to-resident ratios in long term care facilities and nursing homes. In face, he asked that the governor issue an executive order establishing the ratios, or call an emergency session of the General Assembly.
A spokesperson for Beshear, Kerri Richardson, stated that the subject of nursing home staff would be best debated and reviewed during the next regular session, and that a special session, which generally costs about $300,000, is best suited for issues where there is a clear consensus. However, Governor Beshear did implement 20 recommendations regarding the process of reporting abuse and neglect in nursing homes last fall, although non concerned staffing. This does demonstrate that the government at least has an interest in improving care.
Vonderheide, along with other advocates for elder care, argue that patients would receive better care and supervision if staff ratios were increased to meet residents’ needs. There is no doubt that there is a shortage of staff in many nursing homes today, contributing to poor care, injuries and even fatalities. Kentucky is one of 13 states with no specific state requirements regarding staff-to-resident ratios.
Bow hunters found the remains of Lee’s body near the Licking River a month after the man disappeared from the nursing facility.
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