Nursing Home Neglect Blog
Legal News & Updates Blawg regarding issues surrounding the quality of nursing home care and elder abuse. >> REQUEST A FREE CLAIM EVALUATION
Recent posts by the nursing home lawyers at Saiontz, Kirk & Miles, P.A. regarding legal issues surrounding elder care and nursing home rights.
Congress to investigate nursing homes owned by private investment groups
Last week two congressional committees announced that they intend to investigate nursing homes which are privately owned by investment firms and review their business practices. Private equity firms are known for reducing the quality of nursing home care by cutting costs and reducing the number of employees. In addition, because of the complex corporate structures used by many of these firms to avoid liability, concerns have been expressed that residents may be losing their ability to use nursing home lawsuits to hold ownership groups accountable for decisions which result in poor care.
>>INFORMATION: Nursing Home Lawsuits
Nursing home statistics show fewer seniors living in facilities
The latest Census data released by the U.S. government indicates that fewer seniors are living in nursing homes. There has been a steady decline in the percentage of elderly who require nursing home care since 1990, as many are opting for in-home care or assisted-living facilities. However, as 79 million baby boomers enter their 60s, these nursing home statistics could change over the next twenty years.
Nursing home neglect and abuse may increase after purchase by private investment firms
According to a report last week published by the New York Times, the risk of nursing home abuse and neglect may increase after a facility is purchased by a private investment firm. These private groups often make cutbacks to maximize revenue, even at the expense of the safety and health of residents. Residents and families can pursue financial compensation through a nursing home lawsuit, but the individual investors are often protected from personal liability for their greedy actions.
>>INFORMATION: Nursing Home Lawsuits
Poor nursing home care may be more likely for African Americans
A study published in the current issue of Health Affairs indicates that black residents of nursing homes may be more likely to receive poor care than whites. Approximately 60% of black nursing home residents in the United States are in under 10% of the facilities, and most of those facilities have previously been cited for providing substandard care which could result in bed sores, dehydration, malnutrition and other nursing home injuries.
>>INFORMATION: Nursing Home Injuries
Monitoring for signs of elder abuse
A study published in the current issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society emphasizes the need for friends, family members and social workers to be familiar with the signs of elder abuse. Many older adults who are reliant on a caregiver will not openly discuss physical abuse, neglect and exploitation. Monitoring and screening could uncover significantly more cases of elder abuse than are currently being reported.
>>INFORMATION: Signs of Elder Abuse
Preventable bedsores in nursing homes and hospitals
Bedsores are becoming an increasingly more common problem, and Medicare officials now indicate that they may not reimburse hospitals and nursing homes for treatment of the preventable condition which is often caused by a medical mistake. Clear protocals have existed for years to prevent bedsores, but neglect and poor care continue to allow the sores to develop into a severe problem which can cause infection and possibly even death.
>>INFORMATION: Bedsore Lawsuits
Nursing home heat stroke could prove deadly without proper care
New research indicates that those living in a nursing home may be more likely to suffer a fatal heatstroke. Elderly residents at long-term care facilities are often unable to regulate their own body temperature and are reliant on proper monitoring and care by the facility to reduce their risk of a fatal nursing home heat stroke. Read the rest of this entry »
Hospital malnutrition in elderly patients
According to new research, elderly hospital patients may not be receiving sufficient food and caloric intake. This could increase the risk of hospital malnutrition and dehydration, which could lead to additional medication complications, including death.
>>INFORMATION: Dehydration and Malnutrition Lawsuits
Nursing home neglect leads to criminal charge against Life Care Centers of America
Life Care Centers of America, was indicted last week on charges of manslaughter, abuse and neglect in connection with the death of a 74 year old resident at their Massachusetts nursing home. While civil lawsuits are often pursued by family members as a result of nursing home abuse and neglect it is rare to see companies facing criminal charges.
>>INFORMATION: Nursing Home Lawsuits
Nursing home violence does not only come at the hands of staff members
Nursing home violence is often caused by angry, frustrated and over-worked staff members who take their problems out on residents. However, not all cases of physical abuse and assault which are suffered in nursing homes come directly from the employees. New research confirms that many nursing home injuries are caused by attacks from other residents.
>>INFORMATION: Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuits
