Selecting a Nursing Home in Minnesota
Make Informed Choices. Ask questions and gather information before entering into an agreement with a housing or care provider to help ensure a good fit, such as:
• Assess your health needs now and over the next ten years
• Ask the provider how they will assist you in securing additional services as your health needs progress
• Assess your desired level of autonomy
• Remember that in any facility, you may bring in your own services, if the facility does not offer certain services to meet your needs
• Determine what license or registration the provider holds (often posted at a facility) and investigate any surveys or complaints on the facility (see “TIP” on page 5)
• Ask about the process to give feedback and make complaints and how the provider responds
• Ask whether the provider has a “resident advisory” or “family” council, which allows residents and family members to receive education and discuss concerns (see “TIP” on page 26)
• Determine cost of stay and source of payments, such as Medicare or Medical Assistance, and the implications of receiving certain payments (see “Payment Information” on page 24)
• Ask for a copy of the admissions, housing and/or services contract to review prior to entering into an agreement with the provider or program
• Determine who should be responsible for your financial and health decisions, including whether a health care directive or power of attorney is desired or necessary
• Determine who should sign an admission agreement and what duties arise for the signor
• Consider all factors, including family considerations, geography, special health needs, and the senior’s wishes, including a desire to not have services
Visit the nursing home or provider at feeding and bedtime to see how staff interacts with residents.

This website is not intended to provide legal advice as each situation is different and specific factual information must be obtained before an attorney is able to assess the legal questions relevant to your situation.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or abuse in a nursing home or other care facility that serves the elderly in Minnesota , please contact our firm for a free consultation and information regarding the obligations of the facility and your rights as a resident or concerned family member. To contact attorney Kenneth LaBore, directly please send an email to klabore@prslegal.com, or call Ken at 612-767-7503.

Here is an overview of the types of providers of Elder Care in Minnesota

 OVERVIEW OF MINNESOTA’S ELDER CARE SYSTEM Main Government Agencies – Four main agencies regulate senior care in Minnesota.  First, the Federal Government Health and Human Services Department, under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), regulates facilities taking Medicare and Medicaid payments, such as nursing homes.  Second, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) works in conjunction with CMS to survey nursing home facilities and ensure Medicare/Medicaid facilities comply with federal and state law.  The MDH also provides state licenses and registrations for many senior care options including nursing homes, boarding care homes, home care providers (Class A, B, C, and F licenses), housing with services registration, home management registration, and board and lodging.  Third, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) works in conjunction with CMS to make Medicare/Medicaid payments.  The DHS also grants licenses to certain senior care options such as adult foster care, adult day services, and residential homes for mentally and physically impaired individuals.  The DHS works in conjunction with the MDH to provide background checks on potential employees of senior care facilities.  Finally, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) oversees the operation of Veterans Homes in Minnesota. 

This website is not intended to provide legal advice as each situation is different and specific factual information must be obtained before an attorney is able to assess the legal questions relevant to your situation.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or abuse in a nursing home or other care facility that serves the elderly in Minnesota , please contact our firm for a free consultation and information regarding the obligations of the facility and your rights as a resident or concerned family member.   To contact attorney Kenneth LaBore, directly please send an email to klabore@prslegal.com, or call Ken at 612-767-7503.

Nursing home worker in Grand Rapids cited for neglect

According to a story by:
By: News Tribune, Duluth News Tribune
A worker at a Grand Rapids nursing home was found to have neglected a resident who fell March 9, causing an elbow fracture and hip bruise.
An employee at Evergreen Terrace was responsible for the neglect by failing to follow proper procedures, a report by the Minnesota Department of Health said. The employee was suspended and then fired, the report said.
The employee was taking the resident to the bathroom without a transfer belt and with only one staff member instead of two, in violation of the resident’s care plan, the report said. The employee had twice been disciplined before, according to the state. For the rest of the story see: Nursing home worker in Grand Rapids cited for neglect

As an attorney that handles abuse and neglect cases, I see many easily prevented injuries, including fall injuries. Most falls occur due to improper interventions of lack of adequate safety interventions. Unfortunately, I also see cases where the care plan is not followed and a resident is transferred with inadequate staff or improper equipment. These falls are more than simple neglect since they often are the result of insufficient staffing levels in the facility and poor training.

This website is not intended to provide legal advice as each situation is different and specific factual information must be obtained before an attorney is able to assess the legal questions relevant to your situation.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or abuse in a nursing home or other care facility that serves the elderly in Minnesota , please contact our firm for a free consultation and information regarding the obligations of the facility and your rights as a resident or concerned family member. To contact attorney Kenneth LaBore, directly please send an email to klabore@prslegal.com, or call Ken at 612-767-7503.

According to a Star Tribune article written by Lora Pabst:

Hopkins police are investigating whether a man charged with sexually assaulting a fellow resident of a senior apartment building might also have assaulted other male residents of the building.  Thomas Whitfield, 57, was charged in Hennepin County District Court Thursday with fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with the assault Tuesday at the Hopkins Village Apartments near downtown Hopkins.  According to the criminal complaint, Whitfield was visiting an 82-year-old man in his apartment. The man was sitting in a chair when Whitfield walked over and began to perform a sex act on him.  For the rest of the story see: Hopkins Man, 82,  Reports Sexual Abuse.

This website is not intended to provide legal advice as each situation is different and specific factual information must be obtained before an attorney is able to assess the legal questions relevant to your situation.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or abuse in a nursing home or other care facility that serves the elderly in Minnesota , please contact our firm for a free consultation and information regarding the obligations of the facility and your rights as a resident or concerned family member.   To contact attorney Kenneth LaBore, directly please send an email to klabore@prslegal.com, or call Ken at 612-767-7503.

According to a story by MyFox9 reports that the Minnesota Department of Health has determined that Regions Hospital is to blame for the death of one patient and the second degree burns of another, including an event where a nursing home resident was dropped off at the nursing home but never assisted with entering the facility. The resident was apparently left outside from 2:00 am to 5:00 am after a visit to the hospital. For the rest of the story see: MDH Investigates Regions Hospital Neglect Cases.
These are examples of how a lack of supervision, over sight and care in medical facilities is leading to serious preventable injuries and death of vulnerable adults.
This website is not intended to provide legal advice as each situation is different and specific factual information must be obtained before an attorney is able to assess the legal questions relevant to your situation.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or abuse in a nursing home or other care facility that serves the elderly in Minnesota , please contact our firm for a free consultation and information regarding the obligations of the facility and your rights as a resident or concerned family member. To contact attorney Kenneth LaBore, directly please send an email to klabore@prslegal.com, or call Ken at 612-767-7503.

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