Putting an elderly loved one in a nursing care home may not always be an easy choice, but your family deserves the comfort of knowing that any home you choose will provide a certain standard of care for your loved one. In order to ensure this standard level of care, nursing homes are required to be certified and follow specific state and federal regulations.
Two Certifications Needed by Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide around-the-clock care to those who are in need of full-time nursing care but do not have any acute medical problems that require hospitalization. According to the National Institute of Aging, there were approximately 1.4 million seniors in nursing homes in 2015, and the number has increased since then.
In general, there are two main certifications required by almost all nursing homes:
Medicare Certification. In order to receive this certification, the nursing home will undergo inspections by state agencies, who will then report their findings to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval that the nursing home is compliant with safety plans, facility maintenance, and state/federal safety regulations.
Accreditation. Nursing homes can also seek accreditation from an accrediting body that is approved by the CMS, with the most prominent agency being the Joint Commission. Agency workers make unannounced visits and the home must be re-certified every one to three years. These accreditations are paid for by the nursing home, and while they aren’t mandatory, they are a stamp of approval and quality for anyone looking for a nursing home for their loved one.
Protecting Your Family and Pursuing Justice
While all nursing homes are governed by regulations and are required to have certain credentials, the truly heartbreaking reality is that thousands of people become victims of nursing home abuse every year in the U.S.
At Kornfeld Law, our legal team is committed to pursuing justice on behalf of elder abuse victims and their families. We will help you gather the evidence needed to successfully file a lawsuit and hold responsible parties accountable for letting the abuse occur.
There are no fees or obligations to sit down with Rob Kornfeld or speak with him via a phone call or video chat and discuss your legal options moving forward.
We are here for you in these trying times. Contact Kornfeld Law at (425) 657-5255 to get started on your case today.