Richmond Advocates March for Nursing Home Reform and Accountability
Richmond advocates gathered on Sunday to demand reform in long-term care facilities, citing concerns over neglect and lack of accountability for harm to residents. Tracy Pompey, founder of Justice and Change for Victims of Nursing Facilities, organized a 'ROAR Walk' in Richmond, which stands for Respect, Advocacy, Oversight, and Reform. This event is part of a broader national effort with similar walks occurring in various states. Pompey's personal motivation stems from the loss of her father in 2015 due to what she describes as nursing facility neglect, for which she found no accountability. Advocates highlight that Virginia is among the five worst states nationally for nursing home staffing, a factor they believe directly impacts the quality of care residents receive. Families have reported significant delays, sometimes hours long, in receiving basic needs such as bathing or assistance with using the bathroom. While acknowledging that Virginia has begun implementing changes, advocates stress that more wo...
