and allow them to find a measure of peace before passing. Often, little medical attention is needed for dying residents beyond end-of-life and
hospice care.
However, a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association found that for-profit nursing homes are more than twice as
likely as non-profit equivalents to sharply increase rehab therapy for dying residents. These intensive procedures are typically not needed during end-of-life
care – but the increased revenue associated with costly rehab therapy allows the nursing home to profit from residents’ final days.
For-Profit Nursing Homes May Take Advantage of the Dying
Rehabilitation services are almost always more expensive than hospice care. Covering both physical therapy and occupational therapy services, these
constitute a prime source of revenue for most nursing homes. But for the dying residents who receive these unnecessary services at increased rates,
it’s far more than just an inconvenience. It’s a violation of their dignity at the end of their life.
Of the more than 55,000 residents examined in the New York State area, more than 14% had some form of rehabilitation therapy ordered in their last months, with many receiving up to 12 hours of therapy a week, or “ultrahigh levels” of rehab therapy. More shocking still is the statistic that from 2012 to 2016, the number of dying patients receiving ultrahigh levels of rehabilitation jumped by 65%.
Standing Up to Negligent Nursing Homes
Our Baltimore nursing home abuse attorneys at Brown & Barron, LLC have more than 50 years of combined experience fighting for families whose loved ones have suffered at a nursing home. If you believe your loved one was given unnecessary, overly aggressive rehabilitation treatments at the end of their life, you could be eligible for damages on behalf of your deceased family member. We can help you hold nursing homes accountable for the negligence or greed of staff members and executives, and help ensure that future residents do not suffer the same fate towards the end of their lives.
Call our experienced nursing home abuse and neglect team at (410) 698-1717 for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to hear your story.