Elder Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in Sacramento - York Law Firm USA

1. Most Common Types Of Nursing Home Neglect And Elder Abuse&How To Select The Right Nursing Home

2. What is Elder Abuse? Elder abuse refers to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver (including nursing homes and assisted living facilities) or a person who causes the elder harm or exposes the elder to a serious risk of harm.  

3. Common Types of Abuse • Emotional Abuse and Neglect • Physical Abuse • Sexual Abuse • Verbal Abuse • Elder Neglect • Medication Errors • Feeding Tube Errors • Improper Use of Restraints • Falls and Fractures • Dehydration • Malnutrition • Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) • Sepsis Infection • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Auereus (MRSA) Infection • Bed sores (also known as Pressure Sores, Pressure Ulcers, and Decubitus Ulcers)

4. How To Select The Right Nursing Home The following are some tips on what to look for in a nursing home to help prevent bad care and abuse of your loved one: • First, get a durable power of attorney for medical care so that you can make health care decisions and review medical records for your loved one. • Request a complete facility profile from the State Health Department, Licensing and Certification Department for the facility you intend to use. For more information, visit the website for the California Department of Public Health, or call them at (916) 558-1784.

5. 3. Notice how many people in the facility seem to be overmedicated, excessively sleepy or in bed or unable to walk or talk. If many patients fall into this category, be wary of overmedication at the facility, especially with the psychotropic drugs Haldol, Thorazine, Thiothixene, Droperidol, Fluphenazine, Midazolam, Benzodiazepine, Lorazepam, Mellaril and Prolixin. 4. When reviewing the Admission Agreement, do not agree to and do not initial any arbitration clause.  An arbitration clause is a provision in the admission agreement that tries to force families to waive your right to a jury trial for any potential claims you or your loved one might have against the nursing home.  You are not obligated to agree to or initial an arbitration clause as a condition to having the patient be admitted to the facility.

6. 5. Visit your family member at different times during the day, including meal times. Take notice of the types of food and nutritional balance. Dehydration can lead to major problems (hypernatremia, neurological losses, increased risk of developing bed sores, death. Be sure that the patient is actually seen by the doctor.  Talk with the doctor personally. If the doctor is difficult to contact, bring in another doctor to examine the patient. 6. Make sure all recommended care is given, such as physical therapy. Stop by when such activities are scheduled. Check the patient’s body for bed sores (also referred to as pressure sores).  Pay particular attention to the tailbone, heels and hips. Visit our website for more information on bed sores. 7. Report any signs of bad care to the state licensing office in your state that licenses and regulates nursing homes. The California Department of Public Health’s number is (800) 236-9747, or you can fill out a formal complaint online.  You can also contact your county hotline to report instances of abuse. Do not be intimidated by threats from the facility such as kicking the patient out of the facility because of complaints or the facility’s refusal to cooperate with requests for information.

7. Contact York Law Firm If someone you love has fallen victim to abuse or neglect in a nursing home or assisted living facility, we can provide you with the knowledge and legal expertise you need to obtain a favorable outcome.  The experienced attorneys at York Law Firm have handled numerous cases of elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect and can help you obtain justice.  Contact our law offices today to learn more about how we can help you. Visit: www.yorklawfirm.com Email: info@yorklawcorp.com Contact Us: 800-939-1832