I suppose the new year is as good a time as any to think about the approaching golden years for ourselves and loved ones. By golden I actually mean slightly past golden, as in old and decrepit (to quote my 92-year-old mother).
Mom calls her place “the old folks’ home.” She has her own apartment, and there’s a dining room that provides three meals a day (except Sunday) and weekly maid service. That’s it. To get more help, she needs to hire “room girls” or move to the wing that provides more care. Others call them assisted living facilities or adult care facilities.
North Carolina has just enacted tougher standards for “adult-care centers.” Up until now the highest rating was three stars, and 95% of the facilities met that standard. That represents 1,250 assisted-living centers and group homes across the state.
The new standards will take into account “recent penalties for violations such as medications errors and failure to stop residents from wandering.” Facilities will have to meet high standards for two years to qualify for a new fourth star.
Where to check for information?
- County inspection reports:
- Star ratings: www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dhsr/acls/star/search.asp
- Recent violations: www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dhsr/acls/adultcarehomefines.html
- Nursing home ratings: www.medicare.gov/NHcompare/Home.asp
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[Information from Raleigh News & Observer, 1/4/10.]