Some nursing homes are suing to obtain guardianships over residents in order to seize assets of those who owe them money. Will hospitals and other healthcare organizations take similar actions, especially as the the flood of aging people swells?

The New York Times reports that ”few people are aware that a nursing home can take such a step {of filing for guardianship}.”

But, says The Times,  ”the practice has become routine, {at least in New York State} underscoring the growing power nursing homes wield over residents and families amid changes in the financing of long-term care.”

”At least one judge has ruled that the tactic by nursing homes is an abuse of the law, but the petitions, even if they are ultimately unsuccessful, force families into costly legal ordeals.”