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.
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
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
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
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.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Doctors, lawmakers urge Gretchen Whitmer to make stand for science, vaccines
As federal public health policies come under fire, a group of citizens, doctors and lawmakers is pressing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration to more forcefully safeguard vaccines and Medicaid.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Why some in Michigan ditch alcohol, embrace mocktail madness for Thanksgiving
For years, research reassured drinkers that mild or moderate imbibing was harmless, maybe even protective, for health. That research was flawed.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Older Michigan drivers more confident, less ready to give up keys, study finds
A new study finds that most Michigan’s older drivers trust their skill behind the wheel — at least for now, but not so much for the coming five years. Without a plan, that could be trouble.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan’s health is poor. Can better transportation, food and schools fix it?
A report from the Citizen’s Research Council underscores Michigan’s overall poor health, arguing that policymakers should consider other factors — transportation, education and civic engagement, for example — for improving the state’s health and, in turn, the state’s economy.