Samaritan Care Center and Villa in Medina, Ohio is one of three adult-care facilities being targeted by the U.S. Justice Department for “providing grossly substandard skilled nursing services.” The Justice Department filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Dublin, Ohio-based American Health Foundation (AHF), its affiliate AHF Management Corp., and three of its nursing homes:
- Samaritan Care Center and Villa (56-bed facility in Medina, OH)
- Cheltenham Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (255-bed facility in Philadelphia, PA)
- The Sanctuary at Wilmington Place (63-bed nursing home in Dayton, OH)
The incidents under investigation occurred between 2016 and 2018. According to the Justice Department, the facilities have been accused of:
- Failing to follow infection-control protocols
- Failing to maintain sufficient staffing levels
- Failing to create and maintain important medical records
Unfortunately, the worst accusations fall against Cheltenham Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. The facility was reported to house residents in a dirty and pest-infested building, verbally abuse residents, give unnecessary medications including antipsychotic and hypnotic drugs to residents, not protect residents’ personal belongings, not offer residents activities or stimulation, and not provide needed psychiatric care.
These complaints are connected to investigations the Department of Justice opened as part of its National Nursing Home Initiative in March 2020. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division made the following statement, “Nursing homes are expected to provide their residents, which include some of our most vulnerable individuals, with quality care and to treat them with dignity and respect. The department will not tolerate nursing homes – or their owners or managing entities – who abdicate these responsibilities and seek taxpayer funds to which they are not entitled.”
Sadly, abuse and neglect in nursing homes are easily hidden and often underreported. Tittle & Perlmuter is here to provide support during these difficult and heartbreaking situations. If you suspect that your loved one is suffering, contact our experienced nursing home lawyers for a free consultation today. Our dedicated team can help you explore options and potentially launch an investigation into your claim.