The Virginian-Pilot
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A Virginia Beach nursing home has landed on a list of the worst-performing nursing homes in the country.
Beacon Shores Nursing and Rehabilitation was one of 27 facilities on a list released Tuesday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in an effort by the federal government to give people more tools in selecting nursing care and also to provide an incentive for facilities to improve.
The list was the second batch released by the agency. The first, released in November, included 54 facilities, but that was less than half of the facilities tagged as "special focus facilities " - facilities with chronic problems that have failed to make improvements after being given the opportunity to do so.
On Tuesday, the federal agency released the names of all 131 special-focus facilities. Three Virginia facilities were on the list.
One, Ruxton Health in Woodbridge, is still listed in the poor-performance category. Another local facility, Harbour Pointe Medical and Rehabilitation Center in Norfolk, fell into a category of facilities that have shown improvement since being identified as special-focus facilities.
Beacon Shores, at 340 Lynn Shores Drive, was on the most recent list of homes added to the poor-performance list. A call to the chief executive officer of Beacon Shores on Tuesday for comment was not returned.
Inspection reports available on line show the facility had 50 health inspection deficiencies in 2006 and 2007, while the average for all state facilities was eight.
The reported deficiencies included failure to make sure residents were not abused or mistreated, and failure to make sure residents were well-nourished.
Also, the facility did not have a working call system in each resident's room or bathroom. The report also noted, however, the dates when those deficiencies were corrected.
The federal government's report also showed that 44 percent of the facility's long-term residents needed more help with daily activities during their time there, compared with 19 percent in all Virginia facilities.
Elizabeth Simpson, (757) 446-2635, elizabeth.simpson@pilotonline.com
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Remember one thing
The Republican word for taxes is "cuts".
Retired Guy
Who are you to re-write my comment? No - it is the govt, out of taxpayer money yes, that pays through medicare and medicaid LTC benefits. I have a problem, though, with their continuing to decrease what is paid to the institutions. What business are you aware of that charges less for it's services year in and year out when the costs are increasing? True, some people are smart in their estate planning, and move assets out of their control 3 years prior to needing LTC benefits. Further true that some are even more intelligent to obtain LTC policies from private companies to cover their costs. But - do you really know what happens to those that transfer their estates so the govt program that they paid insurmountable taxes during their working life can do what they were promised? They don't get the care they need because the money keeps getting cut. I hope that you find yourself in this situation soon and realize how wrong you were in the end. When you do, hopefully you will still be able to communicate so you can advise others how wrong you were.
Slight rewrite
As the taxpayers continue to cut what they reimburse long term care facilities through medicaid and medicare, you will continue to see a decline in the facilities. Everyone had better get on the band wagon and demand fair compensation from the taxpayers or by the time they need the services, there won't be any around.
First of all, Medicare will only pay the first 60 days of long term care. Medicaid is a taxpayer funded program for those who are unable to pay for long term care. A significant number of Medicaid recipients have transferred their assets to avoid having to pay for LTC. I personally know of an instance where $90,000 and a free and clear home was transferred to the children when the surviving parent was diagnosed with early Alzheimer's. Seven years later, the taxpayers continue to pay some $60,000 per year for this individual's LTC, a bill that will probably exceed $500,000 before death ends the situation.
The taxpayers should not be expected to bear this burden.
As funds decrease.
As the govt continues to cut what they reimburse long term care facilities through medicaid and medicare, you will continue to see a decline in the facilities. Everyone had better get on the band wagon and demand fair compensation or by the time they need the services, there won't be any around.
Very important information
All Nursing Home facilities should be reported and graded or ranked in the Hampton Roads area. This information is invaluable to everyone.