California attorney general's office to ramp up elder-abuse investigations

Until he died last month at age 82, Don Esco of Cameron Park had his own way of measuring the passage of time: by the years, months and days since the nursing home death of his wife, Johnnie, after a short stay at a Placerville nursing home.
It was never enough, he always said, to settle a civil lawsuit with the El Dorado Care Center in Placerville, which he blamed for his 77-year-old wife's death in March 2008. No, he said, it was never about the money.
Johnnie's death, he maintained, was a nursing home criminal matter – and the state of California agreed. 
On Thursday – four years, seven months and 24 days after Johnnie Esco died – one of two nurses charged with criminal elder abuse in connection with her death pleaded no contest to the charge.California attorney general's office to ramp up elder-abuse investigations - Capitol and California - The Sacramento Bee:

Falsified patient records are untold story of California nursing home care

A supervisor at a Carmichael nursing home admitted under oath that she was ordered to alter the medical records of a 92-year-old patient, who died after developing massive, rotting bedsores at the facility.

In Santa Monica, a nursing home was fined $2,500 by the state for falsifying a resident's medical chart, which claimed that the patient was given physical therapy five days a week. The catch? At least 28 of those sessions were documented by nurse assistants who were not at work on those days.

In Los Angeles, lawyers for a woman severely re-injured at a nursing home discovered a string of false entries – several written by nonexistent nurses.

Phantom nurses. Suspicious entries in medical charts. Phony paperwork, hurriedly produced after an injury or death.

It is the untold story of nursing home care: falsification of patient records.

While regulators have dogged facilities for years over fraudulent Medicare documentation, the issue of bogus records is more than a money matter. In California and elsewhere, nursing homes have been caught altering entries and outright lying on residents' medical charts – sometimes with disastrous human consequences, according to a Bee investigation.

Medications and treatments are documented as being given when they are not. Inaccurate entries have masked serious conditions in some patients, who ultimately died after not receiving proper care, the Bee found.
Falsified patient records are untold story of California nursing home care - Investigations - The Sacramento Bee:

Nursing home neglect: Jury awards $1.8 million in death of retired wrestler

Jurors ordered Lake Worth Manor to pay nearly $1.8 million in damages to Mr. Dahmer's estate. The nursing home at 1201 12th Ave. South is now called Oasis Health and Rehabilitation Center. Dahmer allegedly suffered from advanced bed sores that resulted in sepsis or septic shock which led to his death. He was a former pro wrestler.Nursing home neglect: Jury awards $1.8 million in death of retired wrestler - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com:

Woman Dies Falling Out Of Nursing Home Window

Authorities say an 88-year-old nursing home resident who had been in a Gastonia nursing home for a few days and wanted to get out has died after falling from a second-story window.
Police said employees at Morningside of Gastonia were looking for Nellie Holland around 10:15 p.m. Sunday night when they found her outside the building. Paramedics say she died at the scene.
Investigators say Holland had been at the home for only a few days and told people she wanted to get out.
A spokesman for Morningside says the facility is cooperating with the investigation and providing support to the family. He says medical privacy laws prevent him from talking about Holland. Woman Dies; Falls Out Of Nursing Home Window | digtriad.com:

family reacts after seeing abuse, neglect at South Bend nursing homes

"He's got a lot of problems, and you send these people to be cared for in a nursing home that says they're going to care for your family member, and they're going to watch out for them, and make sure they have their medicine... and now it's like you can't trust anybody."
Kristina Beaver is emotional after seeing our report on the violations at Michiana nursing homes, she and her husband are looking for a place for her 69-year-old father-in-law.
"I'm scared," Beaver said.
Scared of the abuse and neglect that was discovered by the Indiana Department of Health and Human Services.
Until Thursday, the family was considering the Milton Home.
It was cited for sexual abuse and witholding medicine from a woman for 11 days in June.
Granger family reacts after seeing abuse, neglect at South Bend nursing homes | ABC57 | South Bend IN News, Weather and Sports | St. Joseph, IN

Nursing Home Sued Over Tube Infection

A Santa Fe nursing home is being sued over an incident in which a resident there suffered an infection after a feeding tube allegedly was improperly placed, filling her abdominal cavity with the liquid formula....
ABQJournal Online » Nursing Home Sued Over Tube Infection

Jacksonville nursing home on federal watch list

Summer Brook Health Care center is a 120 bed facility, privately owned and is now on Medicare's Watch List.
Brian Lee is with Families for Better Care, an advocate for the nursing home industry.
"This is only one of three nursing homes in the state of florida,682 nursing homes, that is on this federal watch list," said Lee.
Lee said his agency's role is to push for improvements in the nursing homes industry.
"Families should be vigilant in their advocacy on behalf of their loved ones," said Lee," to ensure that they're getting safe and appropriate care."
In its August update, Florida's Agency for Health Care Adminstration using a five star rating system, gave the facility the following marks:
-Overall inspection one star
-Quality of care one star
Jacksonville nursing home on federal watch list | firstcoastnews.com

Second Envoy administrator charged

Police in Staunton said Monday that a nursing home administrator at Envoy has been charged in connection with the nursing home’s failure to divulge a sex abuse allegation at its Houston Street facility.
Robert T. Lawrence, 47, of Gloucester County, is charged with failure to report a civil charge.
Last week, police charged Diane R. Kline, 41, an Envoy nursing administrator, with an identical charge.
A phone call placed Monday to Envoy to determine the pair’s employment status was not returned.
In early August, a Staunton police investigation initially centered around a suspended employee at the nursing home who was accused of molesting incapacitated residents.
Following the arrest of Anthony M. Johnson, 47, a nurse’s aide, investigators quickly turned their focus on Envoy’s administration after it was accused of trying to coverup one of the molestation allegations, according to court records.
Police said that although Envoy reported two allegations against Johnson, one of them unfounded, a third allegation concerning a female resident was not passed along to authorities.
The woman, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in the 1990s and is also paralyzed on her left side, said Johnson tried to force her to perform oral sex on him.
Second Envoy administrator charged | The News Leader | newsleader.com

Family: Video is proof of nursing home abuse

Mynez Carter has Alzheimer's disease and requires continuous care. But 83-year-old woman's family recently became suspicious of the way she was being treated at the Heritage Oaks Nursing Home in Arlington.

They said Carter had unexplained bruises, was acting fearful and dodged away from anyone trying to embrace her. They believe the hidden camera they installed in her room explains why.

"My heart started racing and I was horrified. And I was more mad than anything just to know this was going on with my mother," said Freddie Johnson, her daughter.

She said the video showed rough treatment. In one instance a worker putting a pillow under Carter's head can be seen pulling her hair and pushing her head. In another instance a worker pinches her leg.

Carter's children said they met with Jerry Warren, the administrator of the nursing home, and showed him the video. In summary, they said he disagreed about certain actions seen on the video.

"He's trying to justify that but there's no justification for that. It's a certain way you treat these residents. It wasn't good," said Ruth Carter, her daughter.

Read more: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/19400109/family-video-is-proof-of-nursing-home-abuse#ixzz26dJqObZzFamily: Video is proof of nursing home abuse - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

Inspections in California Find Nursing Homes Guilty of Resident Neglect

The California Department of Justice conducted a series of surprise inspections of nursing homes across the state. The investigations spanned over a two year period, beginning in January of 2010 and ending in March of 2012. Inspectors reported findings of "unacceptable nursing care" ranging from accusations of home staff providing residents with the wrong medication to other instances of staff completely neglecting the nursing home residents.

Neglect of nursing home residents not only causes heartache for those who expect the nursing home staff to provide care for their loved ones, it can also lead to injuries for the residents. These injuries include pressure ulcers, infections and broken bones -- injuries that can lead to serious complications in the elderly.

The results of these surprise inspections are currently under review by California's Department of Public Health. The agency will determine if further action is required, which could include sanctions against offending nursing homes or potential closure.

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Although the results of these inspection reports are concerning, it is important to remember that many nursing home facilities offer quality care to their residents. However, being aware of the warning signs associated with abuse or neglect in a nursing home can help to protect loved ones from serious harm.

It is important to watch for changes in a loved one's behavior, such as:
-Sudden inability to sleep or change in sleeping patterns
-Development of depression or confusion
-Unexplainable weight loss
-Withdrawal


In addition to behavioral changes, physical signs of abuse or neglect may also be present. Common physical signs like unexplainable bruises, burns, scars or lacerations on the body or the development of bed sores or other preventable conditions should be noted and discussed with the resident.
MELODIKA.net - Inspections in California Find Nursing Homes Guilty of Resident Neglect

Group pushes for surveillance cameras in nursing homes

A senior advocacy group is pushing for state legislation requiring mandatory surveillance cameras in common areas of nursing homes.
Department of Human Services Aging Services Policy Program Supervisor Jennifer Case says it’s the priority issue for the Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislature.
The group recently held a two-day session at the State Capitol, discussing the top five issues it wants lawmakers to address. Case said the issue of the mandatory cameras emerged as the priority.
“They hear a lot about abuse in nursing homes, and how difficult it can be sometimes to prove it,” Case told KTOK.
Group pushes for surveillance cameras in nursing homes | freedom43tv.com – Oklahoma City News & Weather from KAUT Television Freedom 43

advocates for elderly target 'chemical restraint' abuse at care facilities

Calling it a form of chemical restraint, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and advocates for the elderly Tuesday blasted the practice of prescribing antipsychotic drugs for dementia patients in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
"It is a form of elder abuse. It's chemical restraint -- no less pernicious and insidious than physical restraint of patients -- and it should be stopped," Blumenthal said.
During a press conference at the Capitol, Blumenthal announced that he has introduced a bill to crack down on the overprescription of these off-label drugs. At the same time, health care advocates and advocates for the elderly announced that they have formed a statewide coalition that aims to reduce this type of off-label antipsychotic drug use in Connecticut by 50 percent.
Both Blumenthal and the coalition are trying to combat the practice of giving agitated or confused dementia patients antipsychotic drugs, such as Risperidone, Quetiapine and Olanzapine, to calm them down.
Blumenthal, advocates for elderly target 'chemical restraint' abuse at care facilities | The Connecticut Mirror

Woman accused of slapping nursing home patient gets probation

A Cape Girardeau woman accused of slapping a 98-year-old nursing home patient will spend the next two years on probation.

According to officials at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse, Sherri Sprenger pleaded guilty to a charge of elder abuse Wednesday morning.

The judge gave Sprenger two years in jail, but put her on probation instead. But he told Sprenger she'd go to jail if she violates that probation.

Sprenger worked at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. She's since been fired.

Police say she admitted to losing her temper because the patient yelled at her.

Sprenger says she responded by slapping the elderly victim across the face with the back side of her hand. She says she didn't mean it, and she feels remorse.

Police responded after family members noticed bruising on the woman's face.

As part of her sentence, the judge ordered Sprenger to write the family an apology letter.

Woman accused of slapping nursing home patient gets probation - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Racism, patients’ lack of awareness contributing to health disparities for residents of color in Boston, specialists say

Health disparities persist in the city of Boston between people of color and white residents, and efforts to combat racism and increase minority patients’ awareness of their rights as health care consumers are needed to bridge the divide, specialists said on Monday.

Speaking at a forum hosted by the State of Black Boston, a coalition of groups that ­includes the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, public health specialists discussed findings that were detailed in a report that showed black Bostonians suffered from a number of serious health conditions at higher rates than white residents.

Dr. Karen Winkfield, a radiation oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, said people of color in the city sometimes do not seek medical care because they expect to be treated poorly by health providers.

“We have to realize that it’s real and we can’t just sweep it under the carpet,” Winkfield said at the forum, which was held at the Dimock Center in Roxbury, of the racial bias she said is faced by minorities in hospitals. She also said a lack of adequate transportation and child care are obstacles to care for minority patients.

According to the report, which the Urban League published in collaboration with other groups, black infants died at rates ranging from 8.7 to 14.6 children per 1,000 births between 1996 and 2008, compared to rates between 2.8 and 9.5 for white infants during that period.

Barbara Ferrer, executive ­director of the Boston Public Health Commission, said that stress related to the effects of racism is a major factor in the higher rates for black infants. She said public agencies and other groups must work to combat the effects of racial prejudice on public health.

Racism, patients’ lack of awareness contributing to health disparities for residents of color in Boston, specialists say - Metro Desk - Local news updates from The Boston Globe

Missouri nursing home worker no longer employed after abuse allegation

 

A worker at a Cape Girardeau assisted-living facility is no longer employed there following an allegation of assault from a 92-year-old female resident. Police said Monday they continue to investigate the charges and have alerted state authorities as is mandated by law.The Cape Girardeau Police Department received a report Wednesday about the possibility of elder abuse at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau when visiting family members said they noticed their relative had bruising on her cheek, said department spokesman Darin Hickey. The nursing home resident told police she had been assaulted by a Lutheran Home staff member, Hickey said.

seMissourian.com: Local News: Cape nursing home worker no longer employed after abuse allegation (08/28/12)