Editorial from Aiken Standard
The Aiken Standard had an interesting editorial about the deficient care of nursing homes in Aiken, South Carolina and the new 5 star rating system. The editorial states that nursing homes are increasingly becoming an integral part of the health care network in our country. As people live longer, the chances that they will spend some time in a nursing facility increases. That is why the federal government's five-star grading system is so important for patients and their families.
The five-star comparison allows people to compare nursing homes in their areas and to determine which might be the best for themselves or their loved ones.
Medicare recently came out with its latest report on nursing home quality, grading all six of the nursing home facilities in Aiken County. Only one of the six scored at the five-star level which means "much above average" according to the Medicare guide. Carriage Hills Living Center scored at the five-star level.
Only one of the other five, NRC Healthcare - North Augusta, was at the three-star, or average, level.
Pepper Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center score two stars out of five, below average.
The other three, Anne Maria Rehab and Nursing Center of North Augusta, Azalea Woods Nursing Home in Aiken, and Heritage Healthcare at Mattie C. Hall in Aiken, all scored one star out of five, much below average.
It would be hoped that all of the local facilities would have scored at least average. Further it is hoped that patients and their families will insist that improvements be made in the future.
Complete information about the nursing home comparisons can be found online at www.medicare.gov/NHCompare.
