Poorly run facilities put patients at risk.
Not all nursing homes truly care about their patients.
Unfortunately, this can have devastating results.
According to The Napa Valley Register article titled “Former Napa care facility sued for elder abuse after patient dies,” such was the case with the Golden LivingCenter in Napa California.
The daughter of one of their former patients who died at the facility is suing the nursing home.
The patient was Jeanne Roney.
She died at age 91 in January after being diagnosed with scabies.
According to the lawsuit, the nursing home had too few staff and insufficient training to care for Jeanne, leading to her death.
And the nursing home's negligence had been affecting Jeanne for years.
Jeanne entered Golden LivingCenter in 2011, after suffered a fractured leg and a stroke.
The lawsuit alleges that Golden LivingCenter only made her life worse due to their negligence.
While there, she had serious falls, urinary tract infections, malnutrition, dehydration, scabies and became septic.
An antibiotic IV was not given to her and she even required hospital care in 2015 and 2016.
The lawsuit names four individuals as being responsible for injuries Jeanne suffered.
One of these individuals is serving a one year prison and three year's of probation for stealing prescription medications from the Golden LivingCenter after pleading no contest to first degree burglary.
The lawsuit also claims management was aware of these issues but did nothing.
The lawsuit claims the facility was only interested in making more money.
These are not the first allegations brought against this particular nursing home.
According the California’s Health Facilities Consumer Information System, the Golden LivingCenter was at the center of 85 complaints in the past five years.
The home also self-reported four times for incidents when residents were not treated with dignity or were put in danger.
What can you learn from this?
Research facilities very thoroughly before allowing your loved one to move in.
Better yet, get independent professional assistance.
If you are in the Kansas City metropolitan area, I recommend without reservation, engaging the services of Steve Kuker (pronounced "Kee-ker") of Senior Care Consulting.
Perhaps you have listened to his weekly radio program on 980 KMBZ called "Senior Care Live" at 11:00 am every Saturday.
I have known Steve since high school (yes, a very long time ago) and can vouch for his integrity, as well as his services in finding just the right home for a senior loved one.
Remember: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When making your financial, tax and estate plans, do not go it alone. Be sure to engage competent professional counsel.
Reference: Napa Valley Register (March 24, 2017) “Former Napa care facility sued for elder abuse after patient dies”
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