NURSING HOME REFORM NEWSLETTER QUICKIE

April 12, 2006
 

THAT JURY TRIAL IN FRANKFORT

We are still waiting for a verdict in the big $155 million jury trial in Franklin Circuit Court on alleged abuse and neglect in the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation facility in Frankfort. The suit also charges 11 nurses and nurse aides. A woman who happens to be an assistant attorney general for consumer affairs filed the suit on behalf of herself and her family because of alleged poor treatment of her father. The case has been going on since March 20. Latest information we get is that it might go on next week and the week thereafter before a verdict is handed down.

THAT NURSING HOME IN NO. KENTUCKY

The state is about to close Lakeside Heights Nursing Home in Northern Kentucky. State inspector general Robert Benvenuti was quoted as saying it was one of the worst nursing homes he has ever seen in his 26 months on this job. Now a lawsuit has been filed against Lakeside that could become a class action suit. At one time, Lakeside was the largest nursing home in Kentucky. It is also rumored that the facility is going to be sold. Wonder who the lucky buyer will be?

Stay tuned.

KEENELAND CONVERSATION

If the conversation turns to nursing home reform when you are out at Keeneland this Spring, drop this little bit on your friends.

Most people feel that nursing homes are understaffed. But did you know that the average horse at the racetrack has a groom, a hot walker, an exercise rider, and a trainer? There is one groom for every three horses....one hot walker for every six or seven horses and one exercise rider for every nine or ten horses plus a trainer and an assistant trainer. This all works out to one employee for every two horses.

Now at the average nursing home you will usually find a ratio of 1 front-line caregiver for every 15 or more human beings.

Go figure.

P.S.

A husband found himself in big trouble when he forgot his wedding
anniversary. His wife angrily told him, "Tomorrow there better be
something for me in the driveway that goes from zero to 160 in five
seconds or less."

The next morning, the wife found a small package in the driveway.
She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Hospital visiting hours for the husband are limited due to the
extent of the injuries...