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Healing A Sick System-Part 2 |
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They've lived long, lived through historical events. They have countless stories they can pass down to generations.It's hard for some to think that abuse and neglect is happening to South Dakota
seniors living in nursing homes across the state...but some say it's happening more than anyone can imagine.In part two of our special report "Healing a Sick System" we look at why some people in the Black Hills are saying enough is enough and demanding change.Furrowed hands, once able to work, now needing their own helping hand.Thousands of senior citizens in nursing homes stretched across South Dakota...depending on someone to take care of them.A recent survey says South Dakota ranks in the top 10 states for affordable long term care options...but it's the quality of care some are questioning.Attorney Aaron Eisland says: Deficient care? Oh yes, we've seen numerous cases. Unfortunately, here in Rapid City some of the same nursing homes over and over again.Attorney Aaron Eisland has represented many families across the state whose loved ones have endured horrible abuse and neglect...Hand soap used as tooth paste...seniors made to sleep in their own feces until morning...and one Rapid City nursing home managed to feed each resident breakfast, lunch, and dinner on just four-dollars a day.Eisland says: We've taken testimony from CNA's where they've hidden diaper things to stash them aside or borrowing from another resident to give to another resident because there isn't enough on hand.There isn't enough on hand because they don't want to spend the money for them.The community of Hot Springs was shocked in March when allegations of sexual abuse surfaced at the town's only nursing home.Three women allegedly sexually abused by one male worker.The case is still under investigation but Castle Manor hasn't been the only facility under a microscope.The Department of Social Services says from October 2007 to October 2008 there were 131 substantiated reports of abuse in South Dakota's nursing homes and assisted living facilities.Seven were in Pennington County... five at the same facility.Because of state law...the information on which facility it is...is not public information.But it is enough for some to cry foul...asking the state to come down harder on those facilities that abuse and blatantly neglect their residents.Aaron Eisland says: South Dakota has never had a fine levy by the state against a nursing home.That is something that is done almost in every other state and as a practical matter to get some folks to move sometimes it has to hit their bottom line.Daryl Reincike who operates Westhills Village says the bottom line is quality of care...and great care comes with a price.Reinicke says: I wouldn't support any kind of fine levy because it goes against what everyone is after because if you're going to start taking funds away from facilities, who does that in the long run hurt?The newly formed non profit- South Dakota Advocates for Nursing Home Reform plans to lobby legislators in Pierre to crack down on nursing homes, legislators like Stan Adelstein, who chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.Adelstein says: The people that are always injured the most are the ones that have the least advocacy.And no one advocated for them that I know of and that's terrible, who should know as the chairman of Health and Human Services, I should know but I didn't know and I'm certain that there will be attention paid to this at the next session.To help the general public determine which long term care facility is best suited for them...the government has set up a website using a five star system ...five stars is the best...one is the worst.Two centers in the Black Hills received one star for an overall rating...both owned by Regional Health.In a written statement Regional says "Medicaid's five-star rating is not indicative to the quality of care that is given at its Spearfish and Sturgis locations.The five star system is tremendously weighted on the health department's annual survey, which is taken over a three day period.Only one facility in the Black Hills received five stars, Rapid City's Golden Living Center on Mountain View Road.Some believe the rating system is only a guideline and can show false results, since some of the information is self reported.[Good rating or bad, there's no question that elder care has its challenges ... but many who work in the industry everyday believe they're giving the very best care they can to South Dakota's aging population.]Reinicke says: I think our profession and industry can easily stand in front of people and say we offer quality services, we offer quality care.At this point, the state Department of Health says its only recourse to deal with facilities with deficiencies is requiring them to give a written letter stating how they will correct the problem.In the most extreme cases, the center's license or certification will be taken away.The health department says that's happened to at least one assisted living facility, but it hasn't happened to a nursing home in South Dakota in 20 years.
Justin Pazera |
