Whether you’re caring for the young or the old the State’s expectations don’t change

Interestingly, the categories of top 10 deficiencies cited against Child Placing Agencies parallel the categories of top 10 deficiencies cited against Nursing Facilities

Physical environment/Sanitation—
Youth: “safe for children, kept clean, and in good repair” (Rank #2)
Seniors: “nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean, and comfortable” “give out food in a safe & clean way” and “housekeeping and maintenance” (Rank #7, 1, and, 10)

Staff Treatment/Care
Youth: “hitting and spanking…is prohibited” (Rank #3); “rights to be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation” (Rank #7)
Seniors: “forbid mistreatment, neglect and abuse…” (Rank #5) &“give each resident care and services to get or keep highest quality of life” (Rank #4)

Supervision & Accidents
Youth: “ensuring child’s safety and well-being” (Rank #4)
Seniors: “free of dangers that cause accidents” (Rank #3)

Pharmacy/Medication
Youth: “medication storage” (Rank #8)
Seniors: “obtain and provide drugs as needed” (Rank #2)

Employee Responsibility/Proficiency
Youth: “demonstrate competency, prudent judgment” (Rank #1)
Seniors: demonstrate “skills to be able to care for resident” (Rank #6)

Staffing–Background checks and screenings
Youth: “TB screenings” and “background checks” (Rank #4, 6, and 9)
Seniors: “hire only people with no legal history of abusing, neglecting, mistreating resident” (Rank #8)

Thus, whether you’re dealing with children or aging adults the State is looking for—a clean, safe environment, where the vulnerable population is treated with dignity and respect by competent and trustworthy staff members.