“20 Lies Told By Nursing Homes”

Eric Carlson is Directing Attorney for the National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC). He has specialized in long-term care since 1990 and is one of the country’s leading consumer experts on skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

Mr. Carlson has written many articles on issues related to long term care and advocacy. I came across this one recently and think it is very helpful for consumers. Note: It has been rewritten and published recently as “20 Common Nursing Home Problems and How to Resolve Them” for purchase from this page at the NSCLC .

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Part of the 20 Lies article can be read at no cost in a Powerpoint format.

The basics of the 20 Lies articles are listed below. See Mr. Carlson’s complete article for the details.

1. MediCal does not pay for the services you want.

2. The nursing staff will determine the care that your receive.

3. We don’t have enough staff. You must wake up every mroning at six.

4. We don’t have enough staff. You should hire a private-duty aide.

5. If we don’t tie your father into his chair, he may fall or wander away.

6. Your mother needs more medication to make her more manageable.

7. We must insert a feeding tube; your father is eating too slowly.

8. Your children can only visit you during visiting hours.

9. We can’t admit your mom unless you become “Responsible Party”.

10. Please sign this arbitration agreement; it’s no big deal.

11. Because of your limited needs, you can’t get Medicare reimbursement.

12. We must discontinue therapy because you aren’t making progress.

13. We can’t give therapy. Medicare has expired and Medi-Cal doesn’t cover it.

14. You aren’t eligible for Medicare, so you must leave the Medicare bed.

15. We don’t have an available Medi-Cal bed for you.

16. We don’t have to readmit you from the hospital; your bed-hold has expired.

17. You must pay any amount set by the facility for extra charges.

18. We have no available space for resident or family meetings.

19. You must leave because you are a difficult resident.

20. You must leave because you are refusing treatment.