Centers for Care Settles for $45 Million Over Elderly Mistreatment and Neglect Claims.

The owner and operator of four nursing homes, Centers for Care, has reached a significant settlement agreement to resolve allegations of mistreatment and neglect of elderly residents. On Thursday, a $45 million settlement was announced, following claims that the nursing homes, located in the Bronx, Queens, Westchester, and Buffalo, failed to provide adequate care for their residents, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The New York Attorney General, Letitia James, revealed the disturbing allegations, which included residents being deprived of meals, left in their own waste for extended periods, and enduring unsanitary conditions. These abuses were uncovered through investigations and reports from residents, families, and staff members. The owners of Centers for Care, Kenneth Rozenberg and Daryl Hagler, are accused of prioritizing profits over resident well-being by maintaining insufficient staffing and continuing to admit new residents despite being unable to care for those already living in the facilities.

Allegations of Neglect and Abuse

According to the Attorney General’s lawsuit, the nursing homes suffered from a lack of proper staffing, leaving employees responsible for more residents than they could manage. As a result, essential daily activities like eating, using the restroom, and personal hygiene were neglected. Alarmingly, call bells were often ignored, leading to residents being left in their own waste for prolonged periods. Other reported issues included delayed meals, loss of personal items like hearing aids, dentures, and clothing, and unsanitary conditions such as neglected food trays, vermin, and flies.

"Residents at these Centers nursing homes endured years of tragic and devastating mistreatment and neglect, while the owners made millions of dollars in profit," said Attorney General Letitia James. "Centers' owners operated the nursing homes with insufficient staffing so that they could pocket tens of millions of taxpayer dollars meant for resident care."

Settlement Terms and Future Oversight

Under the settlement, Kenneth Rozenberg and Daryl Hagler will pay a total of $45 million. This amount includes $8.75 million designated for restitution to the Medicaid and Medicare programs, which had been misused, and $35 million for a Resident Care Fund aimed at improving care and staffing levels across the four nursing homes.

In addition, the court has appointed monitors to oversee improvements at the facilities, a process that has already been underway to ensure higher standards of care. These monitors will continue their roles to ensure that the homes meet the required benchmarks for quality and safety for residents.

Related: 5 Signs of Abuse and Neglect in a Nursing Home