The Guardian Blog : Arizona Nursing Home Lawyer & Attorney : Solomon & Relihan Law Firm : AZ Assisted Living Neglect & Abuse : The Guardian Blog

The elderly are constantly targeted for theft because they are seen as weak and unable to defend themselves. Whether the elderly are living in a nursing home, or are still living on their own, they can become the targets for predators who wish to make a quick buck. In Philadelphia, PA an elderly woman woke up with a stranger covering her mouth and a knife to her face. Instead of submitting to the man who had invaded her home, she outsmarted the thief.

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In San Diego, CA an 81-year-old man was reunited with his family after three weeks of his disappearance. The elderly man suffered from dementia took a bus from his home in Mexico City to Los Angeles, but he never arrived to his destination.

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The person most likely to financially take advantage of an elderly individual is someone close to them. A neighbor, a friend, and a family member are the ones most likely to take advantage of unsuspecting seniors. Financial abuse can be anything from money, to property or even valuables.

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In El Paso, TX an 83-year-old woman has suffered first and second degree burns on her hands and face just outside of the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home. Fire officials stated that the woman was smoking in her wheelchair outside of the home when her cigarette fell onto her clothes and burst into flames.

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The state of New York is taking great strides in order to ensure that elderly and vulnerable missing adults will get more help from authorities. The "Gold Alert" bill creates a system to help authorities get proper notifications, coordinate resources, and investigate when people have dementia, Alzheimers, or other disabilities that go missing.  The "Gold Alert" bill would use the same type of infrastructure as the Amber Alert that is already in place that quickly disseminate information about missing children. 

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The summer month’s are here and with it are the record breaking temperatures that can put you or your elderly loved one’s in danger. Many elderly individuals will be bracing themselves for the many heat related illnesses that can occur during these hot months.

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In Hilton Head Island, South Carolina a caregiver at an assisted living center was charged with elder abuse that she committed against several of the women staying there. The Hilton Head assisted living center reported that the 41-year-old Sonia King of Estill will be charged with three counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult. 

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In Pittsboro, NC Becky Fisher, 80, is seeking compensation from her assisted living center in Chatman County after surviving an attack by a housekeeper that left two other residents dead. The attack was four years ago with two her friends Peg Murta and Mary Corcoran. Barbara Clark is now serving life in prison because she killed Murta and Corcoran because the three women confronted her about stealing $1,000 from their checking account. Becky Fisher was lucky to survive the attack, suffering a cracked skull and brain injuries from Clark beating her with a walking cane.

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A nursing home facility located in Clawson, Mich is being investigated for a recent outbreak of an illness in their facility. An outbreak of an gastrointestinal virus was reported at Cambridge North Health and Rehabilitation Center after several of the residents had symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

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In Willmar, MN a nursing home is being blamed for the death of a resident who chocked on raw cucumbers that should not have been served for her according to reports by state officials.

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A Missoula, Montana group is currently working to educate elderly people on how they can prevent from falling. Community Medical Center physical therapist Mary Thane states that there are various classes that elderly individuals may take in order to learn what they can do to prevent falls.

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Many elderly individuals choose to live alone despite persistent health complications. This can be dangerous and can cause death or serious injury if they are unable to contact authorities or medical aid. In Fairfield, Maine 89-year-old Ruth Shillinglaw Johnson was found laying on her bathroom floor after a neighbor called authorities about her absence. 

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84-year-old Emma Jean Sullan was hospitalized after a thief broke into her home in southwest Detroit. The intruder broke through Sullan’s back door and then attacked her and went through her belongings. 

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The adage “there is safety in numbers” is particularly true in the nursing home setting. Federal nursing home regulations provide a vehicle for enhancing patient safety, by requiring nursing homes to have “family councils”.

Family councils are made up of resident’s family members that meet regularly to discuss issues pertaining to resident care at the facility.

The nursing home must assist the council by making a “private” space available for the families to meet. In addition, a facility representative may only attend the meeting by invitation of the council, and must respond to council concerns.

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, participating in the family council is a must. If there isn’t an active council, start one!
 

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