California Senior Center Denies CPR to Resident

An 87-year-old resident at Glenwood Gardens Senior Center in Bakersfield died last week. She collapsed in a dining room. A staff member called 911, and 911 people tried to get the caller to do CPR on the woman, but the staffer refused. The woman died at the hospital.

Glenwood Gardens released a statement claiming it's against policy to perform CPR on anyone:

"First and foremost, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to this individual’s family on the passing of their loved one. We also appreciate the assistance of emergency personnel who arrived immediately to assist in rendering first aid. In the event of a health emergency at this independent living community, our practice is to immediately call emergency medical personnel for assistance and to wait with the individual needing attention until such personnel arrives. That is the protocol we followed. As with any incident involving a resident, we will conduct a thorough internal review of this matter, but we have no further comments at this time." (http://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/glenwood-gardens-in-bakersfield-refuses-cpr-releases-statement-on-policy-and-residents-death)

Not bad. The release offers condolences and thanks the emergency responders. It explains the policy, but leaves unanswered questions, like how could a nursing home that's crawling with nurses stand by and let a woman die? I don't care for the disclaimer at the end -- "but we have no further comments at this time." Just end it. It sounds like there's more they aren't telling. "We'll have further information as it becomes available" is better.

By the way, Western Pennsylvania has a map showing locations of nursing homes. With a click, you can see a rating and then click for more information. (http://www.publicsource.org/investigations/new-online-tool-reveals-grades-of-pennsylvania-nursing-homes#nursing-home-map) Such websites are everywhere.

The amount of information on the internet makes it easy to track violations and their seriousness. Family members are able to research facilities for their loved ones. I don't think any nursing home can afford a policy that allows its residents to die. Glenwood Gardens better revisit that procedure.