Nursing homes carry inherent risks for a population with already fragile health, including intrusive medical devices, special medical needs, and overworked staff. The Nursing Home Compare website is not without controversy.Īdvocates praise the peace of mind it provides when choosing a long-term care facility. Controversy About the Nursing Home Compare Icon This expands on previous ranking systems and provides consumers a clear notice that a nursing home could be dangerous.

The yellow icon also indicates that the home is a Special Focus Facility subject to extra federal scrutiny. The red hand icon signals this is the first time a nursing home has been cited, while a yellow triangle shows subpar care has consistently been the case. Possible harm of a resident in the last two years.It includes updates from April 2019 that provide a five-star quality rating system that indicates the caliber of care provided by the nursing home.Ĭonsumers can learn if a nursing home was cited for: The effort to protect seniors - and behind Nursing Home Compare - is led by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Nursing home industry leaders disagree and argue the icons provide an incomplete picture that discourages business. It is an expansion of the Nursing Home Compare website, which gives consumers a window into a nursing’s history of care.Įlder advocacy groups praise Nursing Home Compare for its increased transparency and accountability. Now, a new federal initiative makes the task a little easier.Ĭertified nursing homes are, as of October 23, 2019, subject to a red icon on a website called Nursing Home Compare if it has been flagged for abuse or neglect.

With the safety and wellbeing of a father, sister, or another family member at stake, all the factors to consider can feel overwhelming. CMS Nursing Home Compare Icon Keeps Seniors SafeĬhoosing a nursing home for a loved one requires careful consideration. The resource, provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provides a window into a nursing home’s history of care and flags any past allegations of abuse. People picking a long-term care facility for their loved one just received an additional tool in the form of the Nursing Home Compare website.

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