I have stated in the past that this blog is here to provide useful information for those who have experienced problems with nursing homes or adult care facilities. I am going to post some useful links for that purpose. The first one is the adult care bill of rights. In itself it is not very specific, but it gives you an idea of what they are supposed to do. My advice is if you complain to the NCDHHS, you be as specific as possible. When I called them I spoke to the intake person for over half an hour, and when my letter came it listed only two specific items. I could do a lot better now if I knew exactly how to phrase the complaint. I would quote the exact statute that was violated and then provide how it was violated. Here's the link for the bill of rights.Lisa, if you are reading this look at item 15 under the nursing home bill of rights
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/aging/rights.htm#r2

If you file a complaint, I would advise doing so in writing if possible. That way they have to answer to a specific incident. I would not expect a great deal of response to the initial complaint, but be persistent. If you don't get results from the initial report, call Gail Maloney in Black Mountain Office and complain again. Keep notes on all conversations you have with them, so you will know who tells you what.Note that it will probably take a couple of months to hear from NCDHHS. The following link tells you how to complain, and where.
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/ciu/filecomplaint.html

The next link will tell you other avenues to complain. The NCDHHS people are slow to respond, and they usually side with the facility. I'm sure it has nothing to do with who is on certain comittees, or who contributes to who ploitically. But you never know. Keep trying, and be persistent. Good luck.

http://www.ncdhhs.gov/aging/complain.htm