By Chick Pritchard
Our elderly loved ones have a right to life, not merely existence. Sometimes, when we are no longer able to care for our loved ones, or they themselves, difficult decisions must be made. When we slowly accompany them through the doors of a Connecticut Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility, we all trust that these places will meet the highest standards of care. We hope that our loved ones will be treated with the respect and dignity that their lives deserve, and the medical treatment that their lives now
Nursing homes all over the State of Connecticut have been fined by the CT Department of Public Health for deaths and patient care lapses. There is a long list of nursing homes, including the Masonic Health Care Center of Wallingford and Meridian Manor of Waterbury, which have been fined for insufficient patient care. The irony with some of these fines is that there are motor vehicle violations that cost violators more money.
Trantolo & Trantolo believes our elderly should be honored, cherished, and protected.This is not always the case. According to the American Association for Justice, as many as 90 percent of U.S. nursing homes have staffing levels too low to provide even “adequate” care for our loved ones. Too many corporate facilities put profit before people, and decrease their staffs to increase their profits. We believe that these facilities really should be homes for our elderly loved ones. Our family members should not meet untimely deaths. They should not be falling down, or suffering from pain and infection. They should not be victims of medication errors or unexplained injuries, including fractures, bruises, or cuts. Our elderly loved ones should not have to spend one second of one day in unsanitary or unsafe conditions.
