2009 Arkansas Nursing Home Report Card: Golden Living Center - Heber Springs
Golden Living Center - Heber Springs is a 140 bed nursing home facility located in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Golden Living Center - Heber Springs' inspection deficiency record has exceeded the average number of health deficiencies in Arkansas twice in the past three years. Golden Living Center - Heber Springs received seven deficiencies in 2009, thirteen deficiencies in 2008, and thirteen deficiencies in 2007. The average number of nursing home deficiencies in Arkansas is ten. Currently, Golden Living Center - Heber Springs is rated as a two-star nursing home according to the new system instituted by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which is indicative of a below-average facility.
While all nursing home residents deserve to be treated with respect, Golden Living Center - Heber Springs failed its residents in 2007 when it failed to hire people with no legal history of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating residents and to report and investigate acts or reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents. This facility was also cited in 2007 for failing to write and use policies that forbid mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and theft of residents' property.
All nursing home residents deserve professional services that meet a professional standard of quality and attain the highest possible quality of life for the resident. This facility failed its residents in quality care measures in 2007, 2008, and 2009, actually harming a resident in 2008, according to government inspection reports. Golden Living Center - Heber Springs failed its residents in January 2009 and March 2007 when it failed to ensure that residents entering the facility without a catheter are not given one. State inspectors also determined that Golden Living Center - Heber Springs failed to provide assistance for residents who cannot care for themselves with eating/drinking, grooming, and hygiene in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The facility also failed to provide the proper treatment to prevent new bed sores or heal existing bed sores in April 2008, placing at least one resident at risk for harm.
It is important in nursing homes that the residents are provided with properly balanced meals so ensure good health. Good health and nutrition is vital for people in all stages of life. Golden Living Center - Heber Springs failed its residents in 2008 and 2009 when it failed to offer food that is nutritional, appetizing, tasty, attractive, well-cooked, and at the right temperature. In April 2008, Golden Living failed to provide special eating equipment and utensils for each resident to needed them.
Medication errors can be fatal to a nursing home resident. Nursing home residents are dependent upon staff to correctly and timely dispense medications. Golden Living - Heber Springs failed its residents in both 2007 and 2008 when it failed to keep the rate of medication errors to less than 5%. This facility also failed in 2007 and 2008 to properly mark drugs and other similar products.
A safe, clean, homelike environment is important for nursing home residents to thrive. Golden Living - Heber Springs failed to ensure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that could cause accidents in 2008.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling nursing home cases of abuse or neglect and can be reached locally at (501) 663-2287 or toll-free at 1 (888) 317-2525. To learn more about nursing home abuse and neglect, visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
