Elder Nursing Homes and Dependent Care Regulations
In the state of California, state and federal law set the standards for regulation of nursing homes.
Also, legislation regulates other health care facilities, both public and private.
- So care centers and nursing homes are required to meet regulations established by California and federal laws.
- Naturally, they must obtain licenses to operate.
- Should the rules not be followed or standards, the facility or individual might get suspended or revoked.
- When a failed system or bad actor hurts an elder, abusing them, attorneys get involved.
Table of Contents:
What are the Rules on Licensing and Certification?
Most California nursing homes and health care facilities participate in Medi-Cal and Medicare programs. These entities get certified to accept these health insurances. But these care facilities are required to meet state and federal standards and requirements.
For example, caregivers have an obligation to be certified by the California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program. Also, individual healthcare workers must be state certified. For example, these people include nursing assistants.
Other licensees include hemodialysis technicians, nursing home administrators and home health aides.
There are two main agencies overseeing and enforcing regulations and laws for nursing homes and healthcare facilities.
So these are:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
In California, various types of licenses may get issued to a health care facility for dependent care. Furthermore, the most common of these get released to nursing homes. The issue is called a skilled nursing facility (SNF).
- This type of license gets obtained by a health care facility. But in exchange, they are required to provide patients with skilled nursing and supportive care.
- Also, it must be on a long-term basis. So the residents are usually dependent adults.
- These patients usually are elders or mentally challenged.
- Also, the licensees get certified to participate in Medicare and Medi-Cal insurances.
Department of Health & Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, Md. 21244-1850 Telephone: 800-633-4227 Website: www.medicare.gov
State Resources
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. 650 Harrison Street, 2nd Floor San Francisco, Cal. 94107 Telephone:800-474-1116 Website: www.canhr.org California Department of Public Health 2000 Evergreen Street, Suite 200 Sacramento, Cal. 95815 800-554-0354 Website: www.cdph.ca.gov
Southern California County Resources Los Angeles.
Community & Senior Services.
3333 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90010 Telephone: 877-477-3646 Website: www.dpss.lacounty.gov
Orange County
Orange County Office on Aging California Department of Public Health 2150 Towne Centre Place, Suite 210 Anaheim, CA 92806 Telephone: 800-228-5234 Social Services Agency P.O. Box 22006 Santa Ana, CA 92702-2006 Telephone: 800-451-5155 www.oc.ca.gov/ssa/asltserv/asaps Seniors Support Services, Inc. Elder Abuse Forensic Center
Riverside County
Community & Senior Services 3333 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90010 Telephone: 877-477-3646 Website: www.dpss.lacounty.gov
San Diego County
Aging & Independence Services 9335 Hazard Way, Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92123 Telephone: 800-339-4661 800-510-2020 Website: www.ais-sd.net
San Bernardino County
Human Services System 686 East Mill Street San Bernardino, CA 92415-0640 Telephone: 877-565-2020 Website: www.sbcounty.gov
Santa Barbara County
Department of Social Services 234 Camino Del Remedio Santa Barbara, CA 93110-1369 Telephone: 805-681-4450 805-346-8303 Website: www.countyofsb.org
Imperial County
Department of Social Services 2999 South 4th Street El Centro, CA 92243 Telephone: 760-337-7878 Website: www.imperialcounty.net
Ventura County
Human Services Agency Adult & Family Services 2220 Ventura Boulevard Camarillo, CA 93010 Telephone: 805-654-3200 Website: www.vchsa.org
California Department of Public Health
1889 North Rice Avenue, Suite 200 Oxnard, CA 93030 Telephone: 800-547-8267
Other Health Care Facility Licensing
Also, the other types of health care facility licensing are here.
And in California, facilities providing dependent care include:
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
- Distinct Part/Skilled Nursing Facility (DP/SNF)
- Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs)
- Institutes for Mental Disease (IMDs)
- ICF/DD (Intermediate Care Facility/Developmentally Disabled)
- ICF/DD-H (Intermediate Care Facility/Developmentally Disabled-Habilitative)
- ICF/DD-N (Intermediate Care Facility/Developmentally Disabled- Nursing)
How About Some More Informational Links?
When a loved one requires dependent care, investigating the options is part of the process. Hence, the quality of the facility is essential. So this will ensure reliable quality care.
Furthermore, informational websites are important. Most of all, these help us become educated in making this type of decision. Here are a few below.
- Find a Nursing Home and Compare
- Nursing Home AA Citations by County
- File a Nursing Home Complaint – How To
- Find and Compare Hospitals
- Breach of Confidential Patient Medical Information
- CDPH – Licensing and Certification
How About a Free Legal Consultation?
So what do you do when a loved one has suffered harm or wrongful death? What if your injury was due to mistreatment or neglect? Was it in a nursing home or dependent health care facility?
Because if it was, the chances are you can sue. But you must contact the law firm as soon as possible. Act quickly because the California statute of limitations limits the amount of time to bring a lawsuit.
Also, we offer a free consultation to discuss. Then we will evaluate legal claims to determine your best course of action.
Call Ehline Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys APLC today. Get a free consultation at (213) 596-9642 in Southern California.