State regulators have fined a Placerville nursing home $21,000 for violations that led to the death of a World War II veteran nearly two years ago.
Donald Forseth, 86, of Pollock Pines, died in November 2006 after becoming severely dehydrated at El Dorado Care Center, where he had lived for four months.
An investigation by the state Department of Health Services found that the facility failed to monitor the man's fluid intake, which led to severe dehydration, kidney failure and death. It also faulted the center for staffing deficiencies and other problems.
Carole Herman, president of Foundation Aiding the Elderly, a Sacramento advocacy group, filed a complaint in the case shortly after Forseth's death. The state issued its report this week.
"It took them almost two years to adjudicate this case," Herman said. "That is ridiculous and unacceptable.
"The state is not doing its mandated monitoring of nursing homes in a timely manner, which causes many more abuses to occur."
Herman said that Forseth's widow, Patricia, won a court settlement against El Dorado Care Center in the case. She has since died.
Officials from the state Department of Health Services and Horizon West Healthcare, parent company of the care center, did not return calls Thursday.
Call The Bee's Cynthia Hubert, (916) 321-1082.
