AUDITING OF NURSING HOMES AND ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION - HEARINGS BEFORE THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE, 94TH CONGRESS, 1ST SESSION, HELD IN PROVIDENCE, RI, JUNE 12, 1975

• NCJ Number: 64579
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 112 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Legislative/Regulatory Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

HEARINGS WERE HELD TO INVESTIGATE AUDITING PROCEDURES FOR NURSING HOMES AND DETERMINE THE EXTENT, AUTHORITY, AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF SUCH AUDITS, AS WELL AS TO CONSIDER HOME CARE POSSIBILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY.

Abstract

THE ISSUE OF AUDITING NURSING HOMES IS PART OF PENDING LEGISLATION REQUIRING THE NURSING HOMES SUBMIT TO STATE AUDITING PROCEDURES WHICH WOULD BE FINANCED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE ESTIMATD COST OF SUCH AN AUDITING PROGRAM MAY BE AS HIGH AS $45 MILLION A YEAR. THE SECOND ISSUE UNDER CONSIDERATION IS HOME CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES TO ENABLE ELDERLY PEOPLE TO RECEIVE NURSING, HOMEMAKER, AND MESSENGER ASSISTANCE; DELIVERY OF MEALS; AND OTHER HOME SERVICES SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE AT HOME. MOREOVER, THE HEARINGS ADDRESSED THE QUESTION OF COSTS FOR SUCH HOME CARE PROGRAMS, ESTIMATING THAT SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS MIGHT BE REALIZED IN ADDITION TO CONTRIBUTING TO THE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS OF OLDER CITIZENS. ELEVEN TESTIMONIES WERE HEARD AND THREE OTHERS SUBMITTED IN WRITTEN FORM. THE WITNESSES WERE REPRESENTATIVES OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES FROM RHODE ISLAND, AND OFFICERS OF SENIOR CITIZENS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE. AMONG THE PROBLEMS DISCUSSED IS THE RELUCTANCE OF STATE AGENCIES TO UNDERTAKE THE INCREASED MONITORING WORKLOAD BY ALREADY UNDERSTAFFED UNITS. IN ADDITION, AUDITING PREREQUISITES FOR AGENCIES RECEIVING FEDERAL SUPPORT FUNDS WERE NOTED. THE NEED FOR COORDINATED CENTRALIZATION OF HOME CARE PROGRAMS WAS ALSO EMPHASIZED. WITNESSES DESCRIBED CRUEL, SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS IN EXISTING NURSING HOMES, AND SUCCESS WITH DIRECT SERVICE OPERATIONS, SUCH AS 'MEALS ON WHEELS.' EDUCATION FOR RECIPIENTS IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF HOME SERVICE, SINCE THE ELDERLY ARE ISOLATED AND UNNIFORMED ABOUT ASSISTANCE AVAILABILITY. TRAINING FOR THOSE PERFORMING THESE SERVICES IS ALSO IMPORTANT. CONDITIONS IN RHODE ISLAND ARE IN MANY RESPECTS BETTER THAN THOSE ELSWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. SUPPORTING STATEMENTS ARE APPENDED. (MRK)