Two Republican candidates for governor and at least one lawmaker promise changes following a two-day Bridge series laying out neglect, abuse and short staffing in Michigan nursing homes. Another lawmaker, a Democrat, says the key is in staff pay.
Robin Erb
Robin Erb covers a range of health issues in Michigan, including the industry of aging and the issues facing older residents in Michigan, a state that is aging faster than most others. She joined Bridge in 2019 and has led investigations that tracked millions of dollars in opioid settlement money and explored severe worker shortages in health care that threaten lives and the state's economy. She chronicled the shock and grief of Michigan families in COVID’s wake, as well as state policy decisions and the triumphs of medical breakthroughs. Robin previously spent six years covering health at the Detroit Free Press, documenting the battle over, and the eventual passage of, the Affordable Care Act and Michigan's Medicaid expansion. She studied communications and political science at Miami University and has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Lourdes University (Toledo, Ohio). She and her husband raised two wonderful children — but have failed miserably at training their Beagle-Bassets — in southeast Michigan. Reach her at rerb@bridgemi.com.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan ‘a pretty sick state’ amid surge of ‘super flu,’ COVID cases
With a new ‘super flu’ circulating, more than 800 Michiganders were hospitalized with influenza as of Monday — about twice as many as last year at the same time. And many of the really sick are children.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan cities balk at costly 911 calls to understaffed nursing homes
Cities and townships pay thousands of dollars each year for nonemergency calls at nursing homes that fire chiefs say should be handled by nursing home staff. Now, some cities are levying fines, hoping to recoup some of the costs.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Install cameras, beef up training — and 5 other ways to fix Michigan nursing homes
Some states demand nursing homes spend more on care and are more transparent in their finances. Michigan could do the same.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan nursing homes have few staff, little training. Misery can follow
Other states have moved to require more staff at nursing homes, but Michigan hasn’t changed its laws in nearly 50 years. That leads to neglect and mistakes, a review of inspections shows.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan sits on $35M fund to improve nursing homes. It’s largely unused
A $35 million fund could help pay for activities and services in nursing homes, but some say red tape makes the dollars not worth the time to apply.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Abuse, neglect common in Michigan nursing homes — and no one is coming to help
A Bridge investigation finds 5,900 cases of abuse, neglect or care woes at state nursing homes, including nearly three dozen deaths. Advocates say change is needed, but no reform is pending in Lansing.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Choosing a nursing home can be tough; these tips can help
Too often, the choice of a nursing home isn’t really a choice; it’s about the first available bed after an unexpected health crisis. But for consumers who have time, there are tips for finding one with the best odds for quality care and a high quality of life.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Delaying dementia diagnosis wastes precious time, Michigan experts warn
A study this year found that it takes more than three years for a dementia diagnosis, even longer for those with early onset dementia.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan caregivers have a new one-stop, online resource to find help
Caring for others doesn’t leave a lot of time to spend hours online, searching for help. A new website connects them, with a quick survey, to the state’s network of providers.