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The article focuses on U.S. nursing homes which have been bought by large private equity firms such as Arburg Pincus and the Carlyle Groups. Staffs and budgets at many of these homes were cut by the new owners, and patient care has suffered. Families of some residents have filed suit in Florida and other states. The nursing home's complex corporate structures make both government regulation and litigation difficult.

Presents news briefs about Catholics and the Catholic Church in the United States (U.S.) as of February 16, 2001. Alleged labor law violations of the Marian Manor nursing home in Massachusetts; Details on three U.S. missionaries who disappeared near the Colombian border in 1993; Reassessment of the Hispanic ministry programs of the Jesuit order. INSET: ADDENDA.

The article discusses a U.S. Justice Department report which claims that thousands of patients are being held against their will in highly restrictive group homes, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities in places such as South Dakota, and it mentions American governmental investigations into civil rights violations and the treatment of children and others with mental and physical disabilities. The 1999 U.S. Supreme Court patients' rights case Olmstead v. L.C. is assessed.

The article reports on violations of assisted living facilities in some U.S. states of regulations related to dementia care. It discusses the lack of published quality measures by the government for assisted living, compared to nursing homes, with inspections that are less frequent and lower fines. It explores the problem related to aggressive behavior in assisted living facilities and cites examples of lawsuits against assisted living facilities due to a resident's death.

The article discusses competition between U.S. nursing homes to attract higher-paying Medicare patients, highlighting concerns that some facilities may not be able to provide adequate care and others may reject lower-paying Medicaid patients. Topics addressed include incidences of patients entering nursing facilities for short-term rehabilitation and experiencing further harms as a result of medical care, as well as well as nursing facilities claims to offer amenities and high-quality care.

The article reports that the State Agency for Health Care Administration has found that the Florida nursing home where eight residents died after it lost air-conditioning following Hurricane Irma presents a danger to every person on its premises.

The article reports that U.S. nursing homes are increasingly demanding that patients give up their rights to sue over their care, writing binding arbitration clauses into the standard contract. This cuts the homes' costs by reducing its exposure to large jury awards, at the same time complaints about the quality of care have increased. U.S. Senators Mel Martinez and Herb Kohl have introduced legislation to ban forced arbitration for nursing home patients.

Examines the impact of the False Claims Act (FCA) on nursing homes in the U.S. Application of the FCA in nursing homes; Authority of the government under the FCA; Impact of the FCA on the operations of nursing homes.

The article presents the views of the author regarding the implementation of the ombudsman program which aims at checking violations against elder people in nursing homes. He informs about complaints claimed by elder people in the nursing homes include delayed responses to call buttons, mixed-up food orders, and misplaced clothes. He states that the program is administered by local home care agencies under the consideration of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

The article reports on the criminal trial of a nursing home in St. Francisville, Louisiana, in a criminal negligence case. The nursing home watery tomb for 35 residents because of the Hurricane Katrina 2005. Louisiana attorney general has charged the nursing home owners with negligent homicide. This is the single criminal prosecution related to the hurricane deaths. The trial began on August 16, 2007.

The article presents the author's views on the living conditions of older people at nursing homes in the U.S. The author says that generally older people at these homes give up on the ideal of living, thanks to the institutionalized conditions there. These nursing homes give a feeling of hospital, avers the author. What older people miss at nursing homes are friendship and privacy, avers the author.

Reports on the growing number of nursing homes that are denying admission to high-cost patients due to Medicare cuts. How hospitals are being impacted by this trend; Reasons why the skilled-nursing facilities are becoming more selective in their admissions; Examples of elderly people being denied admission to nursing homes.

Describes how callers to a nursing home advocacy group in Houston, Texas are first routed to the law firm of Rosen & Newey who often sues this type of facility. The Web site that lawyer Marian Rosen has also set up for the advocacy group United People for Better Nursing Home Care; Other lawyers that have relationships with seemingly independent nursing-home advocacy groups; How these liaisons reflect the growing money-making potential of nursing-home litigation.

Discusses the rise in jury awards for improper treatment and care in nursing homes in United States. Acknowledgement of the role of federal regulations regarding Medicare and Medicaid funding and patient-rights laws in boosting the jury awards; Discussion on some cases.

Reports that Saint Elizabeth Home Society head Elizabeth Manhertz has been slated to testify at an inquest into the deaths of elderly residents at a retirement home she runs in Hamilton, Canada. Background on the inquest.

Discusses the legal problems facing health care provider Vencor Inc. in June of 1998. Patient care and billing discrepancies at Vencor nursing homes; States including Kentucky, California and Colorado which are conducting inquiries against Vencor; Vencor's aggressive steps to defend itself; How long Vencor has been in the nursing home industry; How investors have reacted to the inquiries; Outlook.

Reports on the legal disputes involving St. Barnabas nursing care facility administration and the nurses subjected for job dismissal. How nurses and leaders of Local 1199, National Health and Human Service Union responded to the dismissal notification; Facility administration's plans of hiring per diem staff than regular nurses; Comments of nurses on facility and management; Impact of the security problem in the facility; Role of the National Labor Relations Board; More.

Reports on the abuse of elderly people in nursing homes in the United States. Prevalence of abuse cases; Includes complaints of sexual assault, rough handling, verbal abuse and wet beds; Roots of the problem.

Looks at the negative criticism of the care and facilities at the D.C. Village nursing home, in Washington D.C. Increase number of residents that have died from choking deaths at the nursing home; Investigations into conditions at the nursing home.