| *The reader decides what is good in each | | | | Complain to the agencies that issue licenses |
| individual case. If any suggestion or advice is not | | | | -whether the person you are complaining about is |
| helpful in your case, the authors suggest that you | | | | a doctor, nurse, home health aide, or social |
| do not use it. Each case is individual; each case is | | | | worker, complain to the proper parties. |
| different. Be your own judge of what is good in | | | | Ombudsman complaints are, well, okay, maybe, |
| your particular case. | | | | but sometimes even these ombudsmen are |
| WOW! So you have a complaint! So, you have a | | | | volunteers and sometimes you might get one |
| serious complaint! What do you do? How do you | | | | who is not "impartial". However, when you |
| pile through all the red tape of dealing with nursing | | | | complain to a licensing agency, they must check |
| homes and physical rehabilitation centers? Have | | | | into every allegation, so much more than an |
| you been given the run-around by a physical | | | | ombudsman can and or will. Thinking about suing? |
| rehabilitation center or nursing home. Do they | | | | Well, half of the work is done for you if you have |
| ignore your questions or requests? Does it seem | | | | followed the proper steps and taken the proper |
| like you are invisible to them? Have you made | | | | records. Your journal can probably be used in |
| legitimate requests and been ignored at every | | | | court to help your case. (Only your lawyer would |
| turn? Does it "seem" like the corporate persons | | | | know this). Persist! Don't let anything negative that |
| or people in charge or the licensed social workers | | | | the "red-tape builders" say to you; discourage you |
| are taking advantage of the situation? | | | | from being persistent in your honest reporting to |
| Is the center or nursing home ignoring bedsores | | | | the proper agencies and possibly lawyers also. |
| that were acquired right there in the center or | | | | YES, build yourself up; strengthen your position |
| nursing home. Those are questions to ask | | | | and protect your family members and patients |
| yourself when you feel like you are getting the | | | | and residents by using the best resources that |
| run-around when dealing with health or financial | | | | are available to you both in print and online. We |
| issues in relation to physical rehabilitation centers | | | | make some recommendations about helpful |
| and nursing homes in this world.And there are | | | | books and helpful resources tools that you might |
| more questions; you probably can think of | | | | be able to locate online or in your home town. |
| hundreds of questions yourself. How about these | | | | Why not check out Mark Green's publications, |
| questions? Do they wait days or even weeks | | | | such as THE CONSUMER BIBLE, or other |
| before the patient or resident is given proper | | | | consumer books by Mark Green. |
| care? Does it "appear" that the physical | | | | Never "threaten" to sue, just do it |
| rehabilitation center or nursing home is doing | | | | Locate a lawyer. |
| "more bad than good"? And are they covering | | | | Finally? Finally, if nothing else helps the case and |
| this up with avoidance or fabrication? Do these | | | | you are still getting nowhere and the corporate |
| sound like the same complaints that you have | | | | and staff are still fibbing, fabricating, or withholding |
| about a particular rehabilitation center or nursing | | | | vital information, seriously considering suing the |
| home? If they do sound similar or the same, your | | | | place. Yes, a lawsuit might be quite appropriate in |
| first steps in protecting the patient, resident and | | | | some cases. In no matter what state you live in, |
| family can be found here in this self-help article. | | | | there are usually competent lawyers who will take |
| Have you caught the place in outright lies? What | | | | your case without taking any upfront money |
| has been your experience in dealing with physical | | | | from you. (Check with friends and relatives who |
| rehabilitation center s and nursing homes? | | | | may have used lawyers or check the yellow |
| Everyone has a different experience. And while | | | | pages). |
| some might have a good experience, there e are | | | | Search the net. |
| possibly dozens or hundreds of others who are | | | | Know the net. Be aware of how the net works |
| having bad experiences or terrible experiences | | | | and be aware of how advertisements pop up on |
| inside physical rehabilitation centers and nursing | | | | the net and what they mean and what they |
| homes.So, what is your experience? And If you | | | | stand for. For example, you are now reading an |
| have a bad experience, how do you handle it; | | | | article about rehabilitation centers and nursing |
| How d o you react and how do you act in order | | | | homes. So, the way the net works is this - you |
| to benefit the patient or resident inside the home? | | | | might look to the side there and see many |
| First, build a solid base of honesty, and if there is | | | | advertisements for nursing homes or rehabilitation |
| no honesty inside the nursing home or | | | | centers. KNOW that this does not mean that this |
| rehabilitation center, if there is no honesty coming | | | | article is about those and this does not mean that |
| from the staff or supervisors, then build a case | | | | we recommend any of those places. The way |
| for proving their dishonesty. Once you have seen | | | | the advertisements get there is purely random. |
| that staff or supervisors or administrators have | | | | Somewhere in the net, the words "rehabilitation |
| lied about circumstances, and then you need to | | | | center" and "lawyer" and "nursing home" are |
| protect yourself from happening that happen | | | | picked up by the net and the advertisements are |
| again.For example, if the rehabilitation staff is | | | | almost automatically generated. So know that we |
| claiming that something happened or is happening | | | | have no affiliation or recommendation of any |
| and you know for a fact that this is not true, | | | | persons or companies that are mentioned on this |
| then any future contact that you have with them | | | | web page or in this website. In fact, we have no |
| might end up the same way. So how do you | | | | way of knowing which or if any of these |
| protect yourself under these circumstances? | | | | corporations will appear on the same web page |
| Put It In Writing! | | | | that our article is on. So beware and do your own |
| WRITING! Yes, a simple thing like writing changes | | | | "checking" when it comes to businesses. |
| all perspectives of a particular situation. Writing can | | | | Believe in yourself. |
| bring a situation around to having more honesty, | | | | Believe in yourself and in your own inner instinct. |
| to having the staff and social workers and | | | | Know that most staff or personnel that are |
| administrators "become" more honest. Once they | | | | connected with the physical rehabilitation centers |
| see that something is in "writing" --in "print", they | | | | and nursing homes probably would advise you not |
| might think twice about compromising their | | | | to put anything in writing. Why? Once you put |
| honesty and integrity. So, if anyone at any of | | | | your complaint in writing, they actually have to |
| those places has lied or fabricated, made up a | | | | DO something about it, instead of being able to |
| story or ignored any of your verbal requests, it | | | | ignore your complaint the way they might be able |
| would be just common sense to have future | | | | to ignore a verbal complaint. So by putting your |
| dealings with them in "writing". | | | | complaint in writing you make them accountable; |
| Once a physical rehabilitation center has lied or | | | | you make "more work" for them, and you |
| misconstrued something or ignored your serious | | | | protect yourself and your family member. So, if |
| verbal complaints, it might be time to hit the | | | | you want to protect yourself and your family |
| typewriters and computers and compose a letter | | | | members, it would seem that it makes sense to |
| -IN WRITING-- to the administrators or | | | | put things in writing. (After all, what's more |
| supervisors that are responsible in the corporate | | | | valuable, a verbal contract or a written contract? |
| setting. If you have serious complaints and your | | | | Correct!) |
| complaints are being ignored, it might be the time | | | | Always stay connected. |
| that you put your serious complaints in writing and | | | | Connect! Yes, yes, yes, connect! Connection is a |
| it might be the time to send such complaints by | | | | tool that has helped people throughout centuries |
| certified mail or by express mail or by priority | | | | throughout the world. You have seen evidence of |
| mail.What? What if you cannot afford these types | | | | this yourself. Don't "unions" get more benefits for |
| of mail services? Have no fear! You can properly | | | | employees? Aren't union members usually more |
| complain in writing and still have proof that you | | | | protected than those that are non-union? Well, |
| sent your letter -by asking the post office for a | | | | that's the connection theory at work. The more |
| "certificate of mail". This is a small white receipt | | | | people you have on your side, the better |
| that is postmarked by the Postal worker, and | | | | protection that you have. So, if you can be |
| then your letter is "on record" for being mailed at | | | | connected with others that have the same |
| the US Post Office. This service is under two | | | | problem as you have, that is protection for you |
| dollars per letter. (It might be under one dollar and | | | | and protection for them. SO, connect! I f you are |
| fifty cents; check with your local post office). | | | | seeking connection with others who are |
| ALWAYS put your complaints in writing once your | | | | complaining about rehabilitation centers and nursing |
| verbal complaints have been ignored or once | | | | homes write to us and we will do our best to put |
| stories have been fabricated by any staff or | | | | you in touch with others having the same |
| personnel at any physical rehabilitation centers or | | | | problems. ALL through history the ones who are |
| nursing homes. | | | | and were the most successful are those who |
| Staff who are honest and personnel who are | | | | enlist the help of others and the ones who have a |
| honest will not resent or be bothered by any | | | | group behind them. That is why or how many |
| complaints that are put in writing. It is only | | | | unscrupulous rehabilitation centers and nursing |
| dishonest staff and dishonest personnel and | | | | homes get the upper hand, because there is |
| dishonest licensed workers at physical rehabilitation | | | | more "staff" than "you". Once you join with |
| centers and nursing homes that would be upset | | | | others that are when you might begin to be |
| about any complaint put in writing. If staff is | | | | successful in your journey towards truth, |
| honest, they will respond professionally; if they | | | | honesty, and integrity in rehabilitation centers and |
| are dishonest, they will dig their own hole deeper. | | | | in nursing homes. Connect with us and join our |
| Be forewarned that the battle gets tougher and | | | | worldwide project that will put the spotlight on |
| the steps get deeper once you decide to register | | | | nursing homes and physical rehabilitation and care |
| your formal complaints, so it might help you to | | | | centers across the world, and more specifically |
| have a few others on your side. | | | | ones right in your own neighborhood. You can |
| Helpful Hints: | | | | make this happen. Join us by emailing us with your |
| Keep a Journal. | | | | facts, research, photos and your true story. |
| Begin a journal book and record EVERYTHING | | | | Include a confidentiality statement with your work |
| that happens -time, date, place, day, occurrence | | | | and you can be in consideration for joining our |
| and the person's involved. KNOW that this | | | | worldwide project. |
| corporate place is doing that so, you get on board | | | | SKEPTICS? : |
| and keep your own records, your own journal | | | | Ahh, there are skeptics reading. Yes, we hear |
| book/diary, regarding all issues and applicable | | | | you. You are reading thinking that there are great |
| communications, calls, visits. This is vitally | | | | nursing homes out there and there are wonderful |
| important for your own protection from | | | | people working there too. There are many giving |
| unscrupulous rehabilitation centers and nursing | | | | wonderful and great service. YES! That statement |
| home | | | | is true, but in reality, the better truth is that there |
| Keep records and copies. | | | | are probably MORE unscrupulous, offending, and |
| Make a record of every phone call and every | | | | damaging rehabilitation centers and nursing homes |
| conversation, topic, date, time, day, and topic of | | | | out there, throughout the country and throughout |
| conversation with details -every time you speak | | | | the world than there are good ones. If you doubt |
| with someone regarding the rehabilitation center | | | | this statement, just do this, use the "Google" tool |
| or nursing home. Some individuals make tape | | | | and set up Google alerts on your email account. |
| recordings of their phone calls. As long as "you" | | | | Put the words nursing homes or nursing home in |
| speak during that conversation, and you are | | | | there. You will probably get HUNDREDS of emails |
| "present" in that conversation, then this is not | | | | -Google alerts - in your box daily, about the |
| "eavesdropping" but simply a recorded | | | | negligent and malpractice nursing homes and |
| conversation | | | | rehabilitation centers. You will get emails about |
| Document everything. | | | | staff committing crimes, staff being negligent and |
| Document everything that is done, everything | | | | emails about people dying all over the country of |
| that is said, everything that is not done and not | | | | unnecessary deaths. Just check out a few of |
| said, to have accurate records of what is | | | | those Google alerts and see what happens. Yes, |
| happening. Your documentation can mean the | | | | Virginia, there are good nursing homes in the |
| difference between success and failure, so | | | | world, but this article is about the bad ones. That's |
| document NOW- even before you have need to | | | | the difference. Our purpose in writing this article is |
| document things. | | | | to bring world attention to the deficiencies and the |
| Have Everyone Join In and Check licenses: | | | | malpractices and the negligence's and the crimes |
| Bring your entire family into the picture. Instead | | | | being committed inside of unscrupulous |
| of one person doing all the work and making the | | | | rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. |
| complaints, ask all the family members who are | | | | REHABILITATION CENTERS |
| available to help out and file their own complaints, | | | | Why rehabilitation centers? You've asked why we |
| either with the corporate place or with outside | | | | use this term, and we have the answer for you |
| complaint agencies. The more participants the | | | | here. For many, many years, there have been so |
| better. Consider, that's consider, reporting any | | | | many deficiencies in some nursing homes that the |
| unscrupulous "licensed" individuals to the | | | | term "nursing home" leaves a bad taste in the |
| appropriate "licensing" bureaus. In some states the | | | | world's mouth. Lately, we have come to connect |
| places that give licenses is the Department of | | | | the word nursing home with something bad -due |
| Education, in other states, it is another | | | | to all the bad publicity that has been in the news |
| department. | | | | and on television. So, what's the solution when a |
| Research online and be persistent: | | | | nursing home wants to advertise yet doesn't |
| Go online and do a search of any and all | | | | want that bad connotation to its name? Well, |
| organizations that are there to help you with | | | | name it something else. Most all nursing homes |
| complaints against physical rehabilitation centers | | | | have always had a floor or two for "rehabilitation" |
| and nursing homes. Do a thorough search and you | | | | for many years. But now, some have changed |
| will come up with, maybe, more help than you | | | | their names so as to exclude themselves from |
| need.Be persistent in your complaint. KNOW that | | | | the 'bad news' that might generate from searches |
| so many others have been successful in battling | | | | about "nursing homes'. So, throughout our |
| bad nursing homes. Check out the article about a | | | | country, and throughout the world, "rehabilitation |
| Southern California lawyer who successfully is | | | | centers" are popping up all over, trying to not be |
| getting settlements of more than a few million | | | | classified as "nursing homes' in an effort to |
| dollars from unscrupulous nursing homes who "lied | | | | divorce them from any and all bad publicity. There |
| about the quality of care inside the nursing home. | | | | actually are legal definitions of nursing homes and |
| Now, nursing homes are going to be more careful | | | | physical rehabilitation centers for the purpose of |
| about what they "advertise" because if they do | | | | Medicaid and other agencies. The definitions have |
| not produce what they advertise, they just might | | | | to do with how long people stay in a facility. |
| end up in some million dollar lawsuits -against them. | | | | For example, if a place names themselves a |
| One nursing home that has recently settled | | | | "rehabilitation center" instead of a nursing home, |
| because it decided that it was better to settle | | | | then when people Google "nursing homes" their |
| than to go through a lawsuit for false advertising. | | | | place might not come up in the search -even if |
| It's tempting to give up when a large corporation | | | | there is bad news about the place. So, don't be |
| is battling against you, especially when they are | | | | fooled by name changes of places. (There is an |
| battling with illegal or unscrupulous tactics, but | | | | actual legal clarification and definition between |
| always have hope. Always know that all | | | | "nursing homes" and "rehabilitation centers" and |
| throughout history, eventually good conquered evil. | | | | you can find that online in one of the government |
| Even when things looked worse in history and in | | | | sites). Google both names and read them all. |
| life, good always survives and the truth always | | | | These are terms you can Google to get news: |
| comes out. So have hope knowing that you are in | | | | "nursing homes, nursing home, rehabilitation center, |
| good company and you will prevail with your | | | | rehabilitation and care centers, care centers, |
| honest reports to the appropriate places. | | | | long-term care centers, aging, and things like that. |
| Stay connected to win! | | | | But to begin with Google nursing homes and |
| You cannot underestimate the power of being | | | | rehabilitation centers -two separate terms. |
| connected. Talk with everyone you know, | | | | THE GOOD ONES: Yes, we acknowledge there |
| everyone you trust about the situation but | | | | are many helpful, good and law-abiding nursing |
| without mentioning names. Ask for any and all | | | | homes and rehabilitation centers. This article is |
| help that you can get in fighting the red tape, the | | | | about the opposite. This article is written about |
| fabrication, the lies, and the unscrupulous dealings | | | | the bad ones, the unscrupulous ones and the ones |
| of any happenings inside of bad nursing homes | | | | that violate personal and civil rights of human |
| and bad physical rehabilitation centers. If you are | | | | beings. |
| staying in a nursing home for rehabilitation, ask | | | | I f you are in a good one, we are happy for you. |
| everyone you know if they know about your | | | | If you have a family member in a good one, we |
| particular residence. Always listen to your gut | | | | are happy for you, and we still ask you to JOIN |
| instinct, no matter what anyone says. You can do | | | | US, yes join us, in stopping the corruption or the |
| whatever you set out to do, just make sure that | | | | lack of care and non-care in the bad facilities. Join |
| you always listen to yourself. | | | | us and together , nursing home service will |
| Now, gather your evidence. | | | | improve. |
| Gather the rest of your evidence. Who would | | | | WRITE TO US: |
| think that nursing home advertisements would be | | | | (If you have a good comment about nursing |
| helpful in bringing down a nursing home which is | | | | homes and you do not understand this article, you |
| giving inadequate care or bad care? Well, think | | | | are welcome to write to us also). We write, these |
| again. Read the news articles, and go at once to | | | | articles regarding nursing homes and physical |
| gather any and all of the advertising that any | | | | rehabilitation centers in an effort to band together |
| offending nursing home or any offending | | | | with others who have been bound by red-tape, |
| rehabilitation care center is giving out. Do you | | | | the run-around, and by unscrupulous nursing |
| have a brochure? Look in your newspapers, | | | | homes and physical rehabilitation care centers. We |
| where local places advertise. Tear out and save | | | | hope that you spread the word, and ask others |
| any and all advertisements that those places | | | | to join us as soon as possible. TOGETHER, we |
| offer. Buy the newspaper or get the newspaper | | | | can make progress; together we can be |
| at your library and read about all the things that | | | | successful in making all nursing homes and all |
| these care centers "offer" to their patients and | | | | physical rehabilitation centers --better, and healthy |
| residents. SAVE EVERYTHING! If a nursing home | | | | for all of our people. |
| or care center is offering a certain kind of care, | | | | Footnotes below this line |
| certain kinds of rooms or certain kinds of | | | | By "dig their own hole deeper", we mean that if |
| services ONLY in advertising but not in reality, | | | | staff has already been dishonest, once |
| then perhaps that particular corporation can be | | | | approached in writing, they probably will continue |
| brought to law to be accountable for all of its | | | | to lie or fabricate or ignore your requests. Either |
| false advertising. Be persistent. Study , research, | | | | way, you go on record with all your |
| and keep your research and keep your evidence. | | | | communications. That is your protection against |
| Then and if you decide to sue, you will have | | | | future fabrications by staff. |
| enough physical evidence to present to your | | | | This article, for the most part, is concerning |
| lawyer. You just might win your case. | | | | dishonest staff at rehabilitation centers and nursing |
| Value trust and guard it. | | | | homes. When we advise "steps ", suggestions or |
| Forget trust? Wow. How can we say such a thing | | | | advice, it is for the offending places and personnel. |
| and be serious? Here's how. If you are dealing | | | | We do realize and recognize that there are |
| with a rehabilitation center or nursing home and | | | | "some" nursing homes that offer good service. |
| some or any of the staff has already fabricated | | | | When recording on answering machines, |
| stories, withheld or lied or ignored your legitimate | | | | sometimes a "timed beep" is necessary; check |
| requests perhaps this is time that you should | | | | with your local statutes or check with your |
| remember that these people should not and | | | | lawyer for details. Do an online search for help in |
| cannot be trusted. Why? Well, if they lied to you | | | | that area. |
| once, what stops them from fibbing to you or | | | | If a licensed social worker or a licensed doctor |
| withholding vital information from you twice or | | | | has been unscrupulous or if they have been |
| three times or even all the time? If they have | | | | allegedly guilty of malpractice or negligence, you |
| already thrown your trust in the garbage, how do | | | | might want to consider seriously complaining to |
| you get that trust back and protect yourself? | | | | the licensing agencies about this. Pull up a good |
| Usually, once staff lies to you, you can ALMOST | | | | search engine on your computer and put in a |
| be sure that they will lie again. After all, how do | | | | search for "department of education licensing |
| they cover up their first lie? They can only do | | | | division" or "licensing agencies" . Keep searching |
| that by either apologizing for their first lie - which | | | | until you find what you you are looking for. |
| won't happen- or by continuing to lie to you again | | | | While there are some centers that do "just' |
| and again. So, if this applies to you, the "forget | | | | rehabilitation and or therapy, the places that we |
| trust". We are not claiming that everyone inside a | | | | are speaking of are the centers that used to be |
| nursing home lies; what we are stating is that | | | | nursing homes and those that have just changed |
| sometimes "SOME" staff at some nursing homes | | | | their names to cover themselves up. The places |
| cover up the truth simply because they are afraid | | | | we speak of are those that have nursing home |
| of losing their jobs. After all, if a nursing home lets | | | | ability or capacity -have people "living" there as |
| someone wait for hours and hours to go to the | | | | permanent and temporary residentsWe strongly |
| bathroom and if a staff member complains about | | | | suggest putting your complaints into a |
| this -what happens to that staff person? So | | | | type-written or computer-composed letter instead |
| when bad things happen inside of good or inside | | | | of verbally complaining to agencies. |
| of bad nursing homes, the staff is pressured to | | | | If you think you have good cases, go right to a |
| cover up the lacks and to cover up the bad | | | | lawyer and ask for the free consultation. MOST |
| things that are happening --under the pressure of | | | | lawyers have free consultations. You can even |
| losing their jobs if they speak out. | | | | have a free consultation on the phone sometimes. |
| Remember the eight nurses who walked out. | | | | Check the net and yellow pages. |
| Look at what happened to those eight nurses | | | | Our Recommendations: If you would like our own |
| who walked off the job due to bad conditions. | | | | recommendations (not a scientific study but our |
| That was in the news. EIght - not one, but eight | | | | own personal recommendations). We can offer a |
| nurses walked off in unity, yet even they had the | | | | list of homes and rehab centers that we approve |
| tables turned on them. So, good employees are | | | | of and offer a list of nursing homes and centers |
| pressured to be silent and this makes the nursing | | | | that we would never recommend. This list is only |
| homes and rehab centers worse than they should | | | | our opinion. But you are entitled to our opinion, so |
| be. | | | | feel free to write to us. Contact us through the |
| If you are a nurse or social worker or supervisor | | | | email section of this articles website. We do not |
| in a rehab or nursing home, you need to SPEAK | | | | work or volunteer in any nursing homes or rehab |
| OUT against the bad practices that are happening | | | | centers, but we have visited at great length in |
| inside these places. With your help, society will be | | | | some and have shorter visits in others. A visitor's |
| successful in changing things for the better. (If | | | | opinions are valuable when choosing nursing |
| you are afraid to speak out because you might | | | | homes and rehabilitation centers, so feel free to |
| lose your job, speak out to us. We will keep your | | | | write to us. |
| confidentiality, and through a unity, YOU can help | | | | CLUE: People are under the mistaken impression |
| save lives. You can help give better care. | | | | that if a center is not on the LIST of worst |
| Complain to Agencies. | | | | nursing homes, then the center is good. WRONG! |
| About complaining: Do your complaining (to other | | | | We have discovered that one of the worst |
| agencies and departments regarding these issues) | | | | nursing homes around is not on the LIST of the |
| in writing. It's tempting to get on the telephone | | | | worst homes. They use illegal tactics, hide things |
| and complain verbally because that is easy, | | | | and cover up their errors to stay off the "worst " |
| however, only the true complaint prevails if you | | | | list. So far they have been able to do that. But |
| put things in writing. You put things in your own | | | | now, consumers, residents and families are |
| words-not in the words of the person taking the | | | | making their own LIST of worst nursing homes |
| complaint. | | | | and rehabilitation and care centers. Wouldn't you lik |
| Be Knowledgeable and consider suing. | | | | e to see the list that residents and families made? |
| Realize! Yes, realize what really happens once you | | | | I know for a fact that there is at least ONE |
| initiate a complaint. First know whom you are | | | | rehabilitation and care center that is one of the |
| speaking to if you complain by phone Know that | | | | worst going, yet this place is not on the |
| most or some agencies are staffed by volunteers | | | | government' s WORST list. So be careful when |
| and even some are sympathetic to the | | | | viewing the homes. Ask to see the ENTIRE |
| corporations that you might be complaining about. | | | | home, all floors of the nursing home , before |
| (So consider suing if you have a good case). | | | | making a decision. |