Some say it s too easy in Florida to bring lawsuits against nursing homes. Attorneys say families should have the right to sue if their loved ones suffered and died in a nursing home. The crisis facing the industry goes further. In Florida, one in five beds is owned by a company in bankruptcy. Waiting lists for seniors needing service continue to grow.
Employee turnover is high, meaning residents often receive inadequate care.
Administrators like Franklin are struggling to get affordable liability insurance. Some insurance companies nationwide refuse to insure long-term care facilities. These are among the reasons why long-term care for the elderly is a key issue facing the 2001 Legislature when it convenes March 6. We re talking about something that s going to affect every family, directly or indirectly, said Ed Towey, a spokesman for the industry lobby, the Florida Health Care Association. With society aging and the elderly population doubling, you can see the impact it s going to have.