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Governor Quinn formed a task force to investigate nursing home abuse in 2009 after a string of high-profile incidents and investigations by local newspapers. In response, last year the state legislature passed a bill requiring increased staffing and safety provisions, as well as revisions to the screening process for nursing homes to protect residents from other residents with a history of violence.

The $110 million fund will be created by a tax on nursing homes and federal Medicaid matching funds. The money will help nursing homes hire additional staff and bring their safety regulations in line with the new state standards.

There has been a slow upward climb in the number of deficiencies that the nursing homes are experiencing. The amount of time between surveys at each nursing home has grown from 12 to 15 months over the past three years. After a federal mandate inspection surveys occur every 15 months in Kansas nursing homes to ensure that these elderly residents are provided with the care they deserve and that the nursing homes are upholding the standards set by the state and federal regulations. The inspection teams are made up of nurses who are employed by the Kansas Department of Aging.

It is so important that nursing homes are upholding the standards that are set by the state and federal regulations. These standards are what keep our loved ones safe and unharmed. There needs to be more follow up on these standards especially if a nursing home is charged with multiple violations. If your loved one was harmed at a nursing home that is not upholding a high standard of care, then your family should pursue compensation for the injuries or emotional damage your loved one has suffered.
 

When police questioned the elderly woman’s sons, they argued that they were tired of seeing their mother suffer so they simply allowed her to die in her home. When prosecutors took on the case, they were unable to apply a felony statute because the state did not have one. Minnesota is one of 5 states that do not carry a felony statute for neglect of a vulnerable adult. In 6 out of 50 cases in the state, the victim in the incident died as a result of the neglect they suffered. In contrast, the state does have a statute against child neglect. Prosecutors believe the state should have a statute against elder neglect because it could provide better justice for victims.

Opponents of this type of statute against elder neglect argue that if it is set in place, it could bring about unfair punishment for workers and caregivers for the elderly. However, by preventing the statute from being put in place in the state, the victims that are severely injured or killed do not get the proper justice that they deserve to have. Elder neglect is an extremely serious crime that should be punished to a high extent of the law. The elderly are made to suffer at the hands of nursing home workers or in-home elder care workers who have no sympathy or remorse for their actions. While it is true that workers and caregivers should not be punished unfairly, if there is enough evidence to support a person’s claim that they or their loved ones were physically, mentally or emotionally harmed or neglected, they deserve to have justice in their favor and the perpetrators of the crime should be punished to the highest extent of the law. Elderly people do not deserve to suffer at the hands of another person for no reason at all.
 

In recent months, several major papers, including the Miami Herald and the Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader have published large, multipart investigative reports on the state of nursing homes and elder care in their respective states. As the baby boom population ages and enters nursing homes, the topics of elder abuse and nursing home quality are becoming increasingly important for the elderly and their families, as is reflected in the attention these newspapers are giving to the issue.

The Detroit Free Press series, which started Sunday and continues through Tuesday, has focused on widespread neglect, even in nursing homes with good records, and on the difficulty of closing low-performing nursing homes. 

One of the most important lessons of the Detroit Free Press series is one that many in the nursing home advocacy community know but many residents and familes do not: though state oversight is important, it is not a perfect system for eliminating abuse and neglect. The best way to prevent abuse and neglect is for residents and their families to be diligent in detecting abuse and reporting it.

The TV station's investigation began with reports from staff members that the facility was dirty and poorly-maintained. The station then investigated state records of reported incidents at the nursing home and found instances of physical abuse, including a resident having his hand intentionally slammed in a door, isolation of residents, staff stealing pain medication, and staff leaving residents unattended to drink in the parking lot.

The station also discovered that, despite these reports, the facility has not been shut down because none of the five agencies in Oklahoma that oversee nursing homes have the ability to actually shut down a facility. This illustrates the importance of concerned staff and family members detecting and reporting abuse and taking legal action when necessary. This is often the only way things will change in nursing homes.

Their bail was set at $250,000. The three siblings were in charge of taking care of their 77-year-old mother. The siblings failed to ensure that their mother was bathed or fed properly and did not make sure thather health was taken care of. Senior Services became aware of the neglect when the mother was brought to the hospital for a three-inch deep wound in the victim’s tailbone that was black, red, and blue in color. Her leg was also black from gangrene and had to be amputated. The mother has since been appointed a private guardian. The siblings had police records prior to their arrests. The judge has ordered them to have no contact with their mother while they are serving time.

Unfortunately so many elder abuse cases go unreported. It is important to report any case of abuse or suspicion if you notice that something is not right with the care of an elderly individual. No one deserves to undergo this type of abuse from a loved one. Please report the abuse before it is too late and a life is lost. If you or a loved one has been physically and emotionally abused, then contacting a professional may be in the best interest of being these people to justice.
 

Paramedics found the elderly woman whose skin was sticking to the mattress as the paramedics attempted to remove her from the bed. Paramedics said the elderly woman was arguing and trying to fight them as they tried to roll her onto a gurney.

The woman was found with wounds covering her entire body and paramedics testified in a trial that her skin began to peel away in pieces as they moved her. Doctors stated her condition was extremely poor when she arrived at a medical facility. The doctors that treated the elderly woman also found an ulcer on the woman’s back that caused the skin to rot down to the spine. The woman subsequently died in April as a result of her poor health. The woman and her son were charged with elder abuse in connection with this incident.

The details of this incident of elder abuse are extremely gruesome and should never happen to any person, elderly or otherwise. Nobody deserves to be left lying in their bed to die, especially in such a horrible manner. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of cases similar to this where the victims are left to die and their health begins to deteriorate at a drastic pace. The woman in this incident could have survived if paramedics had found her months earlier before the neglect and abuse had taken a toll on her.

Paramedics stated she was found in an altered state of mind, trying to fight the paramedics’ efforts at saving her life. The doctors that testified against the two caregivers stated that this was the worst case he had seen in 11 years. Just like many incidents of elder abuse, the end result could have been avoided if the victims had received the care they desperately needed in time. Fortunately the elderly woman will get justice for the pain and suffering she was put through before her death, although she will not get to witness this justice served on her behalf.
 

The beating resulted in the elderly man slipping into a coma and he died 11 months later. Investigators found DNA evidence that showed the 37-year-old man beat up the elderly man despite claims that 2 unknown assailants barged into the home and escaped through the back door. The man later fled to Missouri but he was extradited back to San Bernardino County when police issued a $500,000 warrant for his arrest. In the court trial the perpetrator alleged he did not remember committing the crime in the first place because he had been on drugs at the time.

This incident demonstrates that elder abuse does not necessarily have to take place in the nursing home or group home. While these locations are the most common for elder abuse or neglect, it can in fact happen anywhere. Despite the elderly man providing the perpetrator with a job, the 37-year-old man still committed a vicious crime against the man that resulted in his death. Although he claimed he was on drugs when the crime occurred and he did not remember the incident happening at all, there is no excuse for severely beating a man until he slips into a coma and eventually loses his life. The factor that made this incident worse is that the perpetrator tried to flee to a different state in order to escape the law. If he had successfully done so, he could have gotten away with killing an innocent elderly man for no reason whatsoever. A family should never have to endure the loss of a loved one, especially in this manner.

63-year-old Milagros Angeles who was Bauer’s caretaker for the last three years pleaded guilty to four counts of felony elder abuse and neglect, theft, false imprisonment and forgery in connection with this incident. Angeles’ bail was set at $1 million. The Deputy District Attorney stated that Angeles had written checks to herself totaling $7,400 in the last two months and when authorities arrested her they found another $9,000 hidden in her pockets, in a money belt, and in a bedroom she had at Bauer’s home. In the home authorities found trash, overflowing toilets and rat feces throughout the entire home.

We all talk about how we should show respect for the men and women that are overseas fighting for us. However, many people forget that former soldiers of past wars deserve just as much respect. This man was not extended that respect when Angeles stole money from his accounts for her own benefit. Bauer was treated with a complete lack of respect  not only for stealing his money but allowing him to remain in a situation that was very unsanitary and detrimental to his health. Bauer and any other elderly person treated disrespectfully like this deserves to have compensation and justice for their suffering. Nobody should ever be left to rot in unsanitary conditions, especially at an elderly age.
 

The incident occurred back in October when Peters reportedly threw an 86-year-old woman to the floor and left her there for roughly 20 minutes. After that time, she proceeded to drag the woman by the ankles and dragged her to the opposite side of the woman’s room. The elderly woman’s daughter later arrived at the facility and found the elderly woman on the floor. The report states Peters dragged the 86-year-old woman around on the floor a second time before the woman’s daughter arrived. The woman’s family had set up equipment to keep an eye on the woman’s safety and promptly reported the incident to the District Attorney’s office in New York.

It is bad enough when an elderly person falls on their own if they are unable to keep their balance and nursing home employees do not monitor them. However, when an employee deliberately abuses a patient, it is simply heartless. Nobody should face any form of abuse or mistreatment, especially being thrown to the floor and left there. This incident shows an extreme lack of disrespect and goes against the true purpose of nursing homes, which is to care for the safety and health of its residents. In cases of elder abuse like this, the victims and their family members deserve to have some form of justice for their suffering. There is no excuse for someone to commit such heartless acts against anybody, let alone an elderly person.
 

The reported perpetrator in the incident was 22-year-old William Aholelei. Aholelei punched and kicked the elderly woman and the woman was able to run from the home and scream for help. A witness reportedly heard the woman yelling and heard the struggle and immediately called the police. According to the report, Aholelei was charged with elder abuse and battery causing great bodily injury. The report states that Aholelei’s bail has been set at $100,000.

There is no report on what sparked this incident in the first place. The severity of this attack makes this incident much worse as the woman could have died as a result of the injuries she sustained in this vicious attack. Beating up any person is inexcusable but beating up an elderly individual is far worse. The woman in this incident deserves to have justice against this man who abused her. There is no report on the possible sentencing that Aholelei faces stemming from this incident.
 

Prior to that, a housekeeper discovered Hallinan’s father fastened in his wheelchair with duct tape. As a result of the felony charged against him, Hallinan may face a dangerousness case against him if the court determines he is a danger to the community. According to the Boston Herald report, the specific charges that Hallinan faces are neglect and abuse of an elderly person, and batter on a person over 65. He is currently being held without bail as of Tuesday. Hallinan’s father was reportedly hospitalized but is listed in fair condition.

In order to determine whether to pursue a dangerousness case against someone, there must be sufficient evidence to prove that they pose a threat to the community or, in this incident, to the victim. Besides the evidence of bruising on the man’s body, there was no report whether Hallinan’s father suffered any kind of physical abuse. However, it is clear that his father was the victim of negligence, which could also lead to a dangerousness case against Hallinan. There is no report on when the determination will be made.
 

According to the report, a psychologist with training in neurological disorders, a licensed social worker, a physician and public health nurses conduct home visits to aid these individuals that neglect themselves. Their goal is to prevent elder abuse from worsening as a result of lack of attention to the problem.

This program is still in its infancy and preliminary results have yet to be completed, however, researchers believe the results will be very promising and hope to shed light on how bad the problem of elder abuse and self-neglect can get. Programs like this one are extremely important because they demonstrate the severity of elder abuse. In addition, this program specifically would be good to provide help for elderly individuals and disabled adults that feel they cannot get help elsewhere. The report states that last fiscal year, 2,271 complaints were made and 40% were self-neglect cases. This number is much higher in other areas of the country. If more programs such as this one arise, elderly people and disabled adults can get the help that they require with ease.
 

The 79-year-old patient was reportedly sitting on the edge of the bed requesting help to go to the bathroom. Gotico reportedly refused to help and even grabbed the elderly woman by the neck and pushed her back onto the bed when she attempted to stand on her own to go to the bathroom. The nursing supervisor saw the incident occur and immediately contacted the emergency room director. Sherriff’s Department officers were contacted thereafter and arrested Gotico.

When a person decides to live in a nursing home, it is an important decision because the care could be long term or short term. As a family safety and proper medical care is essential to the quality of life for the elderly residing in a home. When making this decision, it is extremely important that you look into the history of the facility including if there are any medical malpractice suits currently active against the facility or if there were any in the past. Medical malpractice is a very serious offense that can place your loved ones in an extremely dangerous situation depending on the severity.

Types of malpractice vary from overall negligence, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, medical abuse such as abuse of medications or improper regulation of an individual’s care (such as mismanagement of medicinal necessities, etc). The types of physical abuse can differ from situation and often people do not notice the physical implications of abuse, but it is important to take notice of these signs in order to stop future abuse from happening. Even something like keeping a person from using the bathroom, such as this incident, can be constituted as physical abuse.

According to the report, Dollins’ elderly mother, Norma, was ordered into long-term adult protective custody following an affidavit being signed on her behalf to remove her from her daughter’s home where she was being cared for. The affidavit stated the home was not in a sanitary condition and Norma was not being cared for properly. Norma Dollins is diagnosed with several medical conditions and is physically unable to move herself or leave the home. Norma Dollins was previously in an incident in which she was trapped in her home after falling from her wheelchair. At the time of the fall, a house fire had broken out and Arkansas police had to assist Dollins to get out of her home.

In any elder neglect incident, the potential for a dangerous situation to arise is always present. Although the incident involving Norma Dollins trapped in a house fire is unrelated to the incident of elder abuse she suffered, the potential for Dollins to be victimized in another dangerous situation could have easily occurred. In the past, elderly people have been neglected and essentially left to rot away with nobody to assist them. Nobody should ever have to be put in this situation. An experienced Arizona attorney can assist you or your loved ones if you believe they have been neglected by their caregiver in any way.
 

In a previous incident between Mayfield and the un-named man, Mayfield asked if he could give her a ride to court. Since the man has poor vision, Mayfield had to drive both of them to the courthouse. Once they arrived, Mayfield reportedly told the man she left something in the car and headed back to it. Mayfield then got in the car and drove off and abandoned the man at the courthouse. Mayfield is now charged with home invasion and elder abuse.

Although the man did not suffer any severe injuries in this incident, the treatment he received from somebody he apparently knew is still very cruel. This type of abuse should never happen by any means against an elderly person or anybody else. There are constantly incidents where people take advantage of elderly people because they are unable to defend themselves. It is sad when a person suffers from this type of abuse, despite the fact that it is not in a physical form.
 

The investigation into Betty Tucker’s death resulted in a warrant being issued for Brenda Tucker’s arrest. Brenda Tucker is currently free on bond according to the Examiner report.

Elder abuse unfortunately occurs more often than people think. There are many reasons why elder abuse occurs including negligence or direct abuse. In this incident, there is no report on whether Betty Tucker was physically abused or not. Regardless whether there is direct physical or emotional abuse or not, elder abuse can easily be avoided in any situation. If you suspect elder abuse to be taking place either in an elderly individual’s home or in a nursing home facility you should contact your local police department to report the crime.

You should also contact an experienced personal injury attorney if your loved ones have been the victim of any sort of elder abuse. In order to avoid elder abuse, you should always check in with your loved ones if they are staying in a nursing home or assisted living facility. If they are staying in your home and you are unable to properly care for your loved ones, you should contact a reputable nursing home or some other medical facility that will assist in providing proper care. Elder abuse should never occur in any situation and this case demonstrates the effects that elder abuse can have.

For more information on elder abuse, visit the Nursing Home Advocates.

The lawsuit argues that maggots infested his nasal and oral cavities which caused him to suffer from a condition known as aspiration pneumonia. The lawsuit seeks damages from the nursing home facility because their negligence directly led to Foreman’s death. Attorneys representing Foreman’s estate argue that several employees are held responsible for negligence and failing to provide sufficient care for Foreman. The representing attorney’s and Foreman’s estate seek to gain $75,000 for pain and suffering, medical expenses, mental suffering, impairment and other damages.

There have been many extremely serious cases of elder negligence but this one seems to be one of the worst cases. Nobody should ever be left in their room for such an extended period of time for them to suffer an infestation of any bugs or insects. Other previous incidents have occurred where elderly individuals were left lying in their own waste. Negligence of this severity is entirely unsanitary and is a drastic threat to the health of the people left in this condition, as this incident shows. This type of negligence should never occur by any means and those responsible for neglecting these individuals should be punished for it to the highest extent possible.

The report states that the woman’s daughter learned that she had been locked in her bathroom alone for roughly 45 minutes. The wrongful death lawsuit contends that the facility should be held criminally negligent because they left the woman alone for so long despite knowledge of her mental state. The lawsuit was filed by the woman’s daughter against the New Horizons of Treasure Coast facility. The lawsuit contends this was a preventable tragedy.

The fact that the facility was aware of the woman’s mental state of depression and their knowledge of her receiving treatment for the condition could potentially work against them as they should have been taking better care of her at the time of her death. Since they left her confined in a room for over 45 minutes, this further emphasizes the neglect they had in ensuring that the woman was properly cared for while she remained in the facility. All of these facts seem to point to the fact that this woman’s death could have been prevented had the facility maintained their presence in the woman’s room or somewhere where she could be monitored easily.

Police are investigating whether or not the man’s 50-year-old son should be cited for elder abuse. The 74-year-old man told police that he was unable to move from the couch and his son was unable to care for him due to an injury he suffered on his arm.

 Elder abuse of any kind is inexcusable regardless of the reasons. Many nursing homes and group homes provide assistance for elders when they cannot get proper care they require at home. Unfortunately there have also been cases of elder abuse at these facilities. However, there are many ways that elder abuse can be prevented whether it is at home or in a nursing or group facility. There are many ways that families of elderly individuals can select a nursing home or group home facility that meets their requirements and the needs of their loved ones. The website nursinghomeinfo.com has information on what to look for and what you can do in order to find the right nursing home facility for your loved ones. In addition, the National Center on Elder Abuse has information on how to spot elder abuse and how to prevent it from affecting loved ones.

 For more information on elder abuse, visit Solomon & Relihan's

Nursing Home Advocates website.

The Post-Gazette profiles Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, one of the leaders of the culture change movement.  Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute recently received a $500,000 grant from the state of Pennsylvania for a pilot program aimed at changing the way nursing home employees are trained.  PHI trains nursing home employees to be more empathetic and understanding of their patients and to encourage patients to be as independent as possible.

In addition to employee training, the other major staple of the culture change movement is a change in the way nursing home patients are housed.  Culture change advocates want to move away from the institutional, hospital-like model of current nursing homes.  This includes increasing in-home care and building new facilities that foster more independence.  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has donated $13 million toward building "Green House" enclaves in which people who choose to live together can live independently but have communal spaces and support staff on site.

The culture change movement is evidence that many in the nursing home and elder care community realize that the traditional institutional model is not the most effective way to deliver care.  Undertrained staff and outdated facilities create situations that are rife for abuse and neglect.

For more information on nursing homes and nursing home abuse, visit the Solomon & Relihan Nursing Home Advocates page.

Sun Valley Group of Tempe is a group that provides guardianship services for adults who need care and advocacy.  Under state law, a judge can appoint a guardian provided by a company such as Sun Valley Group for adults who are deemed unable to make decisions for themselves.  The guardian is supposed to be an advocate for the patient's rights and make decisions on their behalf.

However, according to the patients' family members interviewed by ABC15, Sun Valley Group is more interested in bilking the patients of their money instead of providing services.  One patient's daughter says that her mother's medical bills were not paid, she did not receive proper medical treatment, and her house was allowed to go into foreclosure.  In another case, Sun Valley Group charged a patient's family $500,000, including $75 per hour for an employee to open the resident's mail.

The co-owner of Sun Valley Group is currently being investigated by the Arizona nursing board, while the company is also under investigation by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Organized Crime Unit. More information on Sun Valley Group can be found in this video report from ABC15:

Elders and their families must always be looking out for abuse. If you believe a member of your family has been abused by a nursing home or a guardian, you should contact an attorney to discuss your case. For more information on elder abuse, visit the Solomon & Relihan Nursing Home Advocates website.