And, observers say, the situation is likely to worsen starting next year, when Medicare begins reimbursing nursing homes under the Prospective Payment System. Some vulnerable adults may not need to be institutionalized if these services are available. Funding for these services in Tennessee is anticipated to be a top priority when the General Assembly convenes in January. Facilities are required by state and federal law to meet minimum standards, although enforcement is spotty at best. All states have legislation designed to protect vulnerable adults, although the substance of the legislation varies.
Many states now require institutions to conduct background checks of prospective employees.
Although every facility has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman assigned to it, residents and their families are often unfamiliar with this program. And by themselves, Long-Term Care Ombudsmen cannot meet the needs of every resident in every facility. The institutional abuse of nursing home residents continues because they are often a forgotten population and, due to their frailties, are easily exploited. Abuse and neglect are least likely to occur where the resident has a committed and caring person to make sure that the resident receives the quality of care he or she deserves. Attend care plan conferences.