Veterans Nursing Home Settles with US Justice Department Over Civil Rights Violations, Including Neglect
A settlement has been reached between the Tennessee State Veterans Home and the US Justice Department over allegations that civil rights violations occurred at two nursing homes. The agreement will allow the veterans care facilities to stay open.
In early 2008, the nursing homes were cited for allegedly neglecting patients. The nursing home neglect reportedly caused unnecessary discomfort and pain and may have contributed to some of the residents’ deaths. Other violations cited by the Justice Department included those involving nursing care and medical attention that substantially deviated from accepted professional standards. The department’s report also accused nursing home staffers of failing to protect residents from fall-related injuries.
Under the agreement, the nursing homes are to provide proper medical and nursing care to residents while protecting them from harmful situations. Under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, the US Attorney General is allowed to investigate claims and weed out deficiencies in nursing care.
Veterans nursing homes, like all nursing homes, are supposed to provide their residents with the proper medical care and attention that each patient requires. In addition to the kinds of illnesses and medical conditions that come with being a sick or elderly nursing home patient, veterans may also have service-connected disabilities or conditions that require specialized nursing care.
As a nursing home patient, you are entitled to having all of your civil rights upheld, as well as other rights involving:
• Privacy
• Personal property
• Religious freedom
• Medical care
• Personal care
• Visitation
• Restraints and confinement
State Veterans Home settles on violations, Nashville Business Journal, January 19, 2009
Nursing Home Care Act, Illinois General Assembly
Related Web Resources:
Tennessee State Veterans Home
