Nursing Home & Elder Abuse

• Woman Dies in Nursing Home Due to Lack of Care

  Rick Patterson | December 26, 2007 5:35 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  Nursing home care has long been a concern. Families leave their loved ones in the care of others and many times that care falls short of what one would expect. Recently a nursing home known as Pacific Coast Manor was issued the most severe citation under state law. In addition to the citation, they were fined $100,000 after a state investigation concluded inadequate care led to the death of a...

• Nursing Home Citations Up 22% Nationwide

  Randy Walton | December 20, 2007 11:44 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  Recent studies show that citations for serious violations issued against nursing homes is up 22% nationwide.A USA Today analysis, examining records from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, shows that from 2000 through 2006, the number of citations for putting patients in "immediate jeopardy" had increased 22%. Those citations are considered the most serious and often follow cases in which...

• Fancy Nursing Home, Shocking Death

  Randy Walton | December 20, 2007 3:32 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego County, CA

  Because part of my law practice involves representing seniors in nursing homes who have been subjected to abuse or neglect, I am frequently asked for recommendations for a "good" nursing home. I respond that I don't know any. But on the other hand, I tell the person asking, I don't necessarily know the "bad" ones either. One thing I have learned, in cases against fancy chain homes or the...

• Abuse of Antipsychotic Drugs Found in U.S. Nursing Homes

  Randy Walton | December 04, 2007 7:35 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  Studies show that Medicaid spends more money on antipsychotic drugs for Americans than any other prescription drug. Why? Because nursing homes across the country are giving these powerful drugs to elderly residents for the purposes of "quieting" them.The Wall Street Journal is reporting that nearly 30% of the total nursing home population is receiving antipsychotic drugs in a practice that is...

• Abuse of Antipsychotic Drugs Found in U.S. Nursing Homes(2)

  Randy Walton | December 04, 2007 7:35 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  Studies show that Medicaid spends more money on antipsychotic drugs for Americans than any other prescription drug. Why? Because nursing homes across the country are giving these powerful drugs to elderly residents for the purposes of "quieting" them.The Wall Street Journal is reporting that nearly 30% of the total nursing home population is receiving antipsychotic drugs in a practice that is...

• Riverside County Nursing Home Fined After Death of Resident

  Walton Barber, LLP | December 03, 2007 10:58 AM | 0 CommentsSan Diego County, CA

  Our firm represents individuals and families all over Southern California in cases involving nursing home neglect and abuse, and has seen first hand just how bad care can be in certain nursing homes. But I still get shocked at some of the carelessness that occurs by those taking care of some of our most fragile citizens. Take this story elder neglect just up the freeway in Fontana.Regulators...

• Elderly Woman Killed After Wandering From Escondido Nursing Home

  Randy Walton | November 27, 2007 3:36 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego, CA

  Cases involving nursing home wanderers are not uncommon in the nursing home abuse and neglect arena. I have had them, and I know my colleagues have as well. When an elderly resident of a nursing home wanders away, usually because there is some memory impairment, it rarely ends well.That was the case in Escondido on Thanksgiving Day when 94-year-old Maria Cobian, a resident of Palomar Heights...

• Elder Abuse: Woman Dies After Leaving Palomar Heights Care Center

  Scott Barber | November 27, 2007 7:00 AM | 0 CommentsSan Diego County, CA

  A 94 year-old resident of Palomar Heights Care Center in Escondido died early Thanksgiving morning after wandering out of the facility and being struck by a car. To compound matters the resident, Maria Cobian, was wearing a bracelet intended to alert staff if she attempted to leave the facility. According to Escondido Police, the only door the bracelet doesn't trigger an alarm. "Either she...

• Camden Police Officers Indicted for Fraud

  Rick Patterson | November 22, 2007 8:12 PM | 0 CommentsLancaster, CA

  It is believed that 1 in 20 of our elderly are victims of nursing home abuse, according to the National Center for Elder Abuse. In fact as many as 57% of nursing aids have admitted witnessing abuse. Some have evan participated in the abuse. The report sites problems in the industry such as chronic understaffing and inadequate pay for workers. . Two hearings were held yesterday. Committees from...

• Seniors Fear Nursing Homes More Than Death

  Randy Walton | November 14, 2007 2:14 PM | 0 CommentsSan Diego County, CA

  Studies show that elderly people fear moving into a nursing home and losing independence more than they fear death. Are you surprised to read this? I'm not.A study called "Aging in Place in America" found that seniors, when asked feared losing their independence most [26%], and second moving into a nursing home [13%]. Only 3% of seniors said that death was their greatest fear. Here are some...