Arkansas Advocates for Nursing Home Residents gathered to hear how Arkansas ranks in when it comes to nursing home improvement. According to the AARP Arkansas was recently ranked 37th in affordability and access. Members of the Arkansas Advocates say they want to improve the scores.
President Martha Deaver says the cause is close to her heart. "I have dedicated my life to helping nursing home residents stay safe in nursing homes, educating the public and nursing home residents and letting people know that there are laws and regulations in our state."
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel says that it is appropriate to have a month to recognize nursing home residents. He says Senior citizens hold the keys to our culture and this is a critical issue for all Arkansas families. "It's our obligation to stand with them, stand for them, let them know we love them and let their final years on this earth be as comfortable as possible so that they know the peace of the Lord awaits them and the gratitude of their fellow citizens presides with them."
According to AANHR 2,500 actual harm violations were cited on Arkansas nursing homes in 2010. This is an average of 6 incidents per day. Each ribbon on this tree represents a nursing home where residents experienced problems.
The group wants to ensure rights that were guaranteed by the federal reform act of 1987 are not diminished.
The rally comes after safety violations closed the Lakeside Residential Care facility in Hot Springs. They had to relocate 29 residents. Alleged violations include open electrical wiring, lack of smoke detectors and emergency exits. The owners say they recently bought the business and didn't realize there were problems. They're unsure whether it would re-open.