El Dorado Personal Injury Lawyer - Nursing Home & Elder Abuse

Abuse Ignores Age

Drew Dixon — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:32:19 GMT

Elder abuse is often defined as a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.[1] In 2006 the United Nations designated June 15th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and each year an increasing number of events are held across the globe on this day to raise awareness of elder abuse, and highlight ways to challenge such abuse.

According to statistics released by the NCEA, more than 30 percent of all nursing homes in the United States have been involved in some form of resident abuse. Furthermore, more than 50 percent of the nursing homes in the United States are understaffed.

With the age of the population ever increasing, more people find themselves requiring the assistance of these facilities. In fact, it is estimated that the demand for beds will far exceed the supply by the year 2010.

Most people believe that nursing home abuse comes at the hands of staff members. However, many instances of abuse come from other residents or occupants. Thus, it is hard to make an exact definition of nursing home abuse because no two cases are the same. Nursing home abuse may be in the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, malnutrition, and neglect.

An increasing area of elder abuse stems from self-neglect. Self-neglect is a condition in which an individual neglects to attend to their basic needs, such as personal hygiene, appropriate clothing, feeding, or tending to their medical needs.[2]

For more information on elder abuse and events being held in your area check out http://www.inpea.net/weaad.html.

[1] Action on Elder Abuse, accessed June 11, 2008.

[2] Pathways Courses-Out of the Shadows, accessed June 11, 2008

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Drew Dixon

Old Age: Golden Age or Black and Blue Age?

Jeanie Oliver — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:48:22 GMT

Rocking chairs usually remind most people of the most beloved and protected time of their lives. That time when we were babies and in the caring arms of our parents or grandparents. People who had our best interest at heart. But, rocking chairs also remind some people that we will all get old. A process that will aflict all people. Also, unfortunately, with that age will come abuse and neglect for too many in our society.

Abuse and neglect of the elderly is a rising problem in the nursing home industry today. Abuse is the intentional harm of a patient: physical, emotional, or sexual. Neglect is that harm caused by the staff of a nursing home because of inadequate knowledge, training or laziness. Abuse is prevalent in nursing homes because all too often the system for background checks for staff is faulty. Federal law, according to the AARP, does not require long-term facilities to conduct national criminal background checks. Even in states that require background checks, the process can take 4 months. In some states, employees are allowed to work while waiting on the checks. So during this wait time, residents are in possible danger. In Arkansas, the Attorney General's office handles complaints and reports of elderly abuse in nursing homes. Information on this issue in Arkansas can be obtained at www.aradultprotection.com. Plan ahead and protect your loved one with knowledge and education in this area. Let's help old age be the golden age for all of America's elderly.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Nursing Home Abuse and Elder Neglect.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeanie Oliver

Daughter Suing Palos Heights Nursing Home for Mother's Death

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:25:14 GMT

The daughter of a woman who died at a Palos Heights Nursing Home filed a lawsuit, Wednesday, in Cook Count Court, charging the facility with nursing home neglect and abuse that contributed to the death of her mother.

The complaint alleges Manor Care, at Palos Heights, failed to adequately provide her mother with timely medical care for various infections and medical conditions. She also suffered from dehydration and malnutrition while residing at the home, according to the lawsuit.

The woman was a resident from October through November 2005, she died in September 2006.

"The injuries that she suffered while in the nursing home were of such magnitude that they contributed to her death," Levin said. "They are not the actual cause, they caused a debilitative state that shortened someone's life."

The complaint asks for more than $50,000, including attorney's fees. An investigation into a complaint about her patient care was conducted by the Illinois Department of Public Health in June 2006.

For more information on this subject, please visit our section on Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole