Many nursing homes receive federal funds and therefore must meet a certain criterion for quality care. Several states have even taken the initiative to enact tougher laws.

In the 1980s, there was an outbreak of nursing home abuse and neglect. The laws weren't as strict then as they are now and many facilities were downright cruel to their residents. In response to this growing problem, Congress enacted legislation in 1987 that required nursing homes that participated in Medicare and Medicaid programs to comply with new standards in regards to care.

This law was included in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA 1987) and is also known as the Nursing Home Reform Act. This act specifies that a nursing home "provide services and activities to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident in accordance with a written plan of care..."

Some of the regulations that nursing homes are required to adhere to include:

1. Must ensure that residents receive proper treatment and assistive devices to maintain vision and hearing

2. Have sufficient nursing staff

3. Have a comprehensive care plan for each resident

4. Maintain dignity and respect of each resident

These and many more requirements put a halt to a vast number of cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. However, the problem still exists. Privately run homes and even state funded ones continue to subject their residents to sub-par situations and even abuse. The Rasansky Law Firm fights for the rights of our elderly in these cases. If your loved one has experienced nursing home abuse or neglect, contact a nursing home lawyer by calling 1 800 ATTORNEY today.