Elders’ Service Merits Full Funding
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Re “Elderly Care Homes Lack State Vigilance, Critics Say,” March 15:
Caution, Orange County residents, don’t think the appalling conditions in board-and-care homes exist only in Los Angeles. Orange County, like Los Angeles, has many fine facilities and our share of “substandard, dangerous” board-and-care homes.
This article revealed two critical issues. First, the system of regulatory enforcement is more concerned with “putting someone out of business” than in protecting defenseless elderly residents. Second, our system imposes financial penalties for regulatory offenses. To be a deterrent, fines must be collected. This is potential state revenue!
The only program mandated to advocate for residents living in board-and-care and nursing homes is the Long Term Care Ombudsman Service. For over 20 years this cost-effective program has maintained a regular presence in facilities, investigating resident complaints and referring observed infractions to licensing agencies. Recently imposed federal budget cuts have caused serious cutbacks in ombudsman services. This is a step backward.
PAMALA D. McGOVERN
Orange County Council on Aging
Irvine
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