08/06/2026
An Ohio resident with lung cancer, brain lesions, early-stage dementia, and PTSD was discharged from his long-term care facility without his wife being told. She found out when a hospital called to say he had been left there, according to 10 Investigates.
In the vast majority of cases, a facility asking a resident to leave has to give a 30-day notice, and the resident has a right to a hearing, according to Central Ohio Ombudsman Leilani Pelletier.
His wife said neither happened. She filed a complaint with the Ohio Department of Health, which inspected the Arbors at Delaware in February 2026 and cited the facility for being out of compliance with federal nursing home regulations.
A discharge is a facility decision. Someone chose the timing, arranged the transport, and picked the destination. The notice requirement exists because every part of that decision sits with the facility while the consequences land on the family.
Before anything goes wrong:
• Ask for the discharge and transfer policy in writing at move-in.
• Ask what written notice you would receive if a discharge were ever proposed.
• Save your regional long-term care ombudsman's number. The service is free and anyone can call.
👉 Full 10TV - WBNS report in comments.