Aventura Nursing Home Abuse Blog

What are the most common kinds of abuse in assisted living?

On behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A. posted in Assisted Living Facility Abuse And Neglect on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

There are many studies that look into which types of elder abuse are most common. There are varied reports and different conclusions, but each of these studies does show that it's a valid point to be worried about nursing home and assisted-living abuse.

A national study completed by Acierno showed that financial mistreatment was one of the most commonly reported kinds of abuse. This is when someone steals money from an elder or manipulates an elder's money for their own wishes. The elderly person may or may not be of sound mind when this happens.

Arrests made after elderly woman's body found in shallow grave

On behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A. posted in Elder Neglect on Sunday, October 21, 2018.

Elders often face abuse, but it's most often from those they love the most. In a case report on Oct. 3, an elderly woman was discovered in a shallow grave around a mile from where she lived. Her grandson now faces charges related to her death.

Deputies in Citrus County came to check on the elderly woman after relatives reported receiving conflicting stories about her whereabouts. The 79-year-old woman was said to be in a nursing home by her grandson, according to members of her family. He later told other family members that she'd died and that he had buried her.

Warning signs of financial abuse against seniors

On behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A. on Friday, October 19, 2018.

When most people think of elder abuse, they initially think of physical abuse. While this certainly happens in plenty of nursing homes around the country, there is another form of fraud you need to look out for: financial. In Florida, police charged an elderly woman's caretaker for making unauthorized charges to her account upwards of $60,000.

When you move a loved one into a nursing home, watch out for any signs of abuse, including financial abuse. Employees at nursing homes may take advantage of their positions to spend money that is not theirs. Here are the most common signs to watch for.

You always need to report elder abuse to protect the vulnerable

On behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A. posted in Elder Abuse on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.

Elder abuse is harmful both physically and psychologically. It often goes unreported, so even though statistics may show improvements, it's vital to be cautious. The elderly sometimes do not understand what's happening due to their mental state, while others don't want to bother people with their problems. Still others don't report abuse because of fear or because they have no one to turn to.

What are some forms of elder abuse?

Assisted-living facilities owe respect and care to residents

On behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A. posted in Assisted Living Facility Abuse And Neglect on Friday, October 12, 2018.

Living in assisted living is different from being in a nursing home. Patients do more to help themselves, requiring less care than a traditional nursing-home patient. Assisted-living patients may need assistance with some chores or daily tasks but be able to take care of themselves most of the time.

Sadly, they are still prone to abuse. They may be victims of neglect or exploitation. Physical abuse, emotional abuse and financial exploitation are all kinds of common assisted-living abuse patients face.

Mental health support for the elderly is a necessity

On behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A. posted in Elder Neglect on Wednesday, October 10, 2018.

Elder neglect is not only physical but also emotional. As people age, they are likely to become more isolated for a few reasons. The first is that they may lose their spouses or close friends. The second is having to move to a nursing home or assisted-living facility. A third is because their children are grown and may not be nearby to assist them.

As the elderly grow older, it is important that their emotional needs are still met. It's only by talking with them and getting to know their thought processes that their mental health can adequately be known and monitored. This is particularly important for those who may have a risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Hidden cameras and nursing home abuse

On behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A. on Monday, October 8, 2018.

Florida residents who have to find nursing home accommodations for a loved one often have numerous concerns about safety. While it can help to take important precautions such as researching the home and keeping a watchful eye out for signs of abuse, it can still be hard to achieve certainty that staff is treating one's family member properly at all times. Additionally, it is one matter to strongly suspect abuse; it is another to obtain proof.

As a result, families often want to know if they can place a hidden camera in their loved one's room. In Florida, this is a complex issue that can raise a number of legal concerns.

Is understaffing a problem that leads to injuries in care homes?

On behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A. posted in Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

Nursing home abuse happens for many reasons. Some include being isolated, societal triggers and even peer pressure. In other cases, neglect is a form of abuse. Perhaps someone working with your loved one is not educated on how to appropriately care for them or the individual takes a dislike to your loved one and tries to ignore them. In either case, the news is not good for your loved one, because they are likely to be harmed.

Not every nursing home is dangerous to your loved one, and it is fair to say that many people who work with the elderly have their best interest at heart. The problem is that there is a risk of hiring someone who does not have your loved one's best interests in mind. In other cases, simply being understaffed can lead to an increased chance of illnesses or overmedicating patients to avoid complaints.

How are elders protected in Florida?

On behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A. posted in Elder Abuse on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.

It is not ever a good thing when you find out that someone you love has struggled as a result of abuse. You don't want to know that your child, partner or parent had to suffer in any way. Unfortunately, the reality is that elders are at a high risk of abuse by others. They may not be able to speak out and being restricted in their movements also hurts their ability to fight back.

The elderly have a right to safety and security. In fact, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs is there for cases like yours. If your loved one has suffered because of medical malpractice, know that you aren't alone. Your attorney can help you prepare a solid case against those who hurt your loved one.

Is your parent's nursing home hurricane ready?

On behalf of Ford, Dean & Rotundo, P.A. on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Florida is known for both its beautiful sunshine and its severe hurricanes. These tropical storms can occur for the whole last half of the year, with the peak season being in late summer to early fall. The damage they cause is devastating, but some of the destruction and other consequences are avoidable through proper preparation.

One of the most important places that needs protection is the nursing home in which your parent lives. Do you know if the facility has safety measures in place for when a hurricane hits?