The lawsuit alleges violations of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by deceiving consumers through marketing practices.
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A nursing home chain with locations in Tunkhannock and Wilkes-Barre left residents in its care soiled and hungry and failed to provide for their basic needs, as stated by state Attorney General Kathleen Kane.
Those with complaints concerning Golden Living facilities or other health care facilities are encouraged to contact the Office of Attorney General’s Health Care Section.
She recalled being responsible for about 15 residents on a typical day, all requiring total care, and having only an hour and a half to get them up and dressed before breakfast.
This company also operates homes in Murrysville, Canonsburg, Waynesburg and Uniontown, but those homes not mentioned in the suit.
According to the complaint, Golden Living facilities were so understaffed that residents were left thirsty, hungry, dirty, and sometimes were unable to summon anyone for help using the bathroom.
The homes” suit said the attorney general was illegally usurping the role of the state Health Department and facilitating a drive by Cohen Milstein to “create a “problem’ where none exists in a search for profits for itself”.
“Unfortunately, we think this may be the tip of the iceberg”, says Sam Brooks, an attorney at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, which issued a report just three weeks ago citing major problems at Philadelphia nursing homes including Golden Living.
Interviews with residents’ family members and ex- certified nursing assistants who worked at Golden Living facilities revealed a widespread pattern of understaffing and omitted care, the legal action states.
In a statement later Wednesday, Golden Living said the suit was “baseless and wholly without merit.”
In addition, it seeks $1,000 per violation of the law, or up to $3,000 for every violation involving a person 60 years old or older.
Kurtz claimed the action was the result of an inappropriate relationship between the Attorney General and a Washington D.C.-based firm and also retaliation for its challenging her in a pending lawsuit.
Anyone with complaints concerning Golden Living or other health care facilities should call the attorney general’s Health Care Helpline at 877-888-4877.
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“Both facility-level and corporate-level managers were or should have been aware that the raw staffing numbers at Golden Living facilities were inadequate to meet the needs of residents”, the suit states. “We plan to vigorously defend the reputation of Golden Living and its employees”. Complaints may be filed at www.attorneygeneral.gov by selecting “File a Complaint” from the tool bar and then “Health Care”.
