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The Michigan Messenger going forward

By Staff Report | 11.16.11

I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.16.11

An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11

Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

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By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11

Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.

Finding a nursing home in Michigan, tips and resources

By Celeste Whiting | 02.27.08 | 6:45 am

Choosing a nursing home can be difficult. Michigan’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Sarah Slocum has resources and suggestions to help with the process.

  • Prospective residents should make personal, unannounced visits to facilities they are considering. Is it clean? Does it smell good? Are the staff responsive when residents need something? Does the food look and smell good? “If you see and smell things not going well and a staff person explains it away — beware,” Slocum told Michigan Messenger.

  • Print out the Michigan ombudsman fact sheet on looking for a nursing home. Take it on visits to homes you are considering.

  • Go to the Nursing Home Compare Web site, maintained by the federal Medicare system, to see a home’s track record of deficiencies and staffing information, and to compare nursing homes by geographic area.

  • Compare homes on MemberoftheFamily.net, a simple, user friendly Web site offering comparative data on homes by state. The data are based on inspector surveys of homes and consider state and federal certification requirements. A color-coded display summarizes quality ratings.

  • Call the Michigan ombudsman toll free help line 1-866-485-9393. Regional ombuds offices visit facilities, keep inspection reports and share that information with the public. The toll-free number connects to the appropriate regional office based on where you are calling from.

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    Comments

    • Kathy

      Unannounced visits Based on personal experience, try to schedule your visit during the week instead of the weekend.  Relatives and friends tend to visit on Saturdays and Sundays and nursing homes anticipate this and work hard to present a good image. 

      Also, if possible, get feedback from neighbors, friends or family that may have first hand knowledge of the place. 

    • Kathy

      Unannounced visits Based on personal experience, try to schedule your visit during the week instead of the weekend.  Relatives and friends tend to visit on Saturdays and Sundays and nursing homes anticipate this and work hard to present a good image. 

      Also, if possible, get feedback from neighbors, friends or family that may have first hand knowledge of the place. 

    • LoRayne Apo-Joynt

      Thanks for your comment – excellent advice That will surely be handy to a number of our readers.

    • LoRayne Apo-Joynt

      Thanks for your comment – excellent advice That will surely be handy to a number of our readers.

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