Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog

Older adults sometimes are considered "frail" and unable to defend themselves. Sometimes, due to illness or medication issues, older adults are dependent upon others for bill paying or chores. These type situations can lead to abuse of older adults. While abuse is oftentimes physical or mental, it can also be emotional or financial.

If you are an older adult, you can help protect yourself from abuse by following these simple steps:

Know Abuse Warning Signs - Are you being fed properly and regularly? Are you being restrained? Does someone caring for you yell or hit you? Have you noticed strange charges on your credit card or large withdrawals from your bank account? If so, you could be in an abusive situation. Try to talk to someone you trust, such as a doctor, nurse, or relative. If you can't reach anyone, call your state's elder abuse hot line.

See Your Physician Regularly - Regular physician visits can spot abuse. Frequently, health care providers will notice signs of abuse, such as bruising, cuts, or broken bones, and will work with you to get help. Remember - answer your doctor's questions honestly.

Avoid Isolation - Stay connected and involved with life. Join a senior organization or join a group at your church. Ask people over to watch a television show, play cards, or just visit. Abusers can't target you if you are out and about.

Arrange Your Finances - Put your financial affairs in order. Make sure that you have someone that you completely trust lined up to make decisions for you - both medical and financial - if you are ever in a position that you can't do so. Prepare a Power of Attorney or appoint a guardian. Don't ever sign legal documents before allowing someone you trust to review them.

Watch Your Money - Watch your bank statements and credit cards for any strange withdrawals or charges. If you need help paying bills, you can arrange with the bank for direct deposits and automatic bill payments. Don't give out your credit card, social security or bank account numbers to anyone you don't know or by telephone. Remember to keep your valuables and banking information in a safe place. Try to stay involved with your financial affairs, even if it's only opening your own mail.

Caregivers - If you have to rely on a caregiver, try to research the agency you are going to rely upon. Call your local Better Business Bureau and ask your doctor or someone else you trust for their opinion on the business.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. If you or a loved one has any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at (888) 317-2525 or visit us on our website at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Today, everyone is aware of the seriousness of exposing children to sexual predators and most parents are diligent about checking state sexual offender websites for the locations of sex offenders living near their homes or schools. Has anyone ever thought to cross-check the addresses in the registries to see if any are living in local nursing homes? CBS4 I-Team in Florida did.

After performing an address cross-check and finding approximately 80 sex offenders living in Florida nursing homes (some of whom were court-ordered), CBS4 I-Team Investigator Michele Gillen visited nursing homes and group homes to verify these invidiuals were actually residents at the facilities. One 35 year old offender living at an adult home acknowledged his status and explained that his fellow residents were unaware of his status. He is one of two sex offenders living at that facility.

I-Team also visited The Pines nursing home in South Florida. There, the facility houses two sex offenders. I-Team met with the owner, Jules Ast, and Assistant Administrator Alyce Sica and they discussed the state of the art surveillance system the facility has in place. Both emphasized they are very careful about the type of offender allowed into the facility, as they are located within one block of an elementary school. The offender cannot have the ability to self-propel - they must have total assistance with movement. The sex offender residents are also not allowed to wander off on their own. Facililty staff are advised on the sexual offender status of the residents, but other residents are not informed. Assistant Administrator Alyce Sica actually went to the state ten years ago to encourage the state to create special housing for aging felons. "They need people who know how to deal with people who are dangerous," she said.

Wes Bledsoe, founder of A Perfect Cause, is aware of the problem. A Perfect Cause tracks sexual offenders and their crimes, some of whom can be seen on their website. Bledsoe says, "We are warehousing these offenders with disabled elderly people who can't protect themselves and can't tell what happened to them."

Florida residents can check Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators and Missouri residents can check Missouri Sex Offender Registry. For information on sexual predators in Illinois, click here. Like most states, sexual predator information for Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania can also be located online.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home sexual abuse. Please contact us at 1 (888) 317-2525 or visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Searcy Healthcare Center is a 245 bed nursing home facility located in Searcy, Arkansas. Searcy Healthcare Center's inspection deficiency record has exceeded the average number of health deficiencies in Arkansas three times in the past three years. Searcy Healthcare Center received twelve deficiencies in 2008, twenty-six deficiencies in 2007, and eighteen deficiencies in 2006. The average number of nursing home deficiencies in Arkansas is ten. Currently, Searcy Healthcare Center is rated as a one-star nursing home according to the new system instituted by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which is indicative of a well below-average facility. Searcy Healthcare Center failed its residents to treat its residents with respect and dignity in both 2007 and 2008, according to state inspection records. In February 2007, the facility was cited for failing to hire only people with no legal history of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating residents and to report and investigate acts or reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents. One incident involved a resident whose family determined that an LPN had failed to provide a resident with food or medications and failed to notate in the narcotics log on multiple occasions that narcotics had been administered. This facility was also cited in 2007 for failing to write and use policies that forbid mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and theft of residents' property. In March 2008, Searcy Healthcare Center was cited for failing to keep each resident free from physical restraints unless needed for medical treatments. Searcy Healthcare Center failed its residents when it did not to ensure Physical Restraint Informed Consent forms documented medical symptoms and specific target behaviors and did not utilize the least restrictive restraint for multiple residents. The facility also failed to ensure a restraint reduction was attempted for a resident and did not complete a pre-restraining evaluation for two residents. All nursing home residents deserve professional services that meet a professional standard of quality and attain the highest possible quality of life for the resident. Inspection reports also reveal that this facility failed its residents in quality care measures in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Searcy Healthcare Center failed its residents in May 2007 and July 2008 when it failed to ensure that residents needing assistance with activities of daily living were provided assistance. According to government inspection reports, the facility was also cited in June 2006 and May 2007 when it failed to ensure that residents entering the facility without a catheter are not given one. State inspectors determined that multiple residents had no assessment completed for a bowel and bladder training program. State inspectors also determined that Searcy Healthcare Center failed to provide the proper care for residents needing special services, such as injections, colostomys, tracheostomy care, and tracheal suctioning. Moreover, Searcy Healthcare Center used dirty equipment when it failed to ensure that the oxygen concentrator filters were in place and clean. The oxygen tubing was dated and the oxygen in use sign was posted for 6 residents who had physician orders for oxygen. The facility was also cited in May 2007 for failing to provide proper treatment to prevent new bed sores or heal existing bed sores when it failed to ensure that residents who were at risk for potential skin breakdown were turned and repositioned. It is important in nursing homes that the residents are provided with properly balanced meals so ensure good health. Good health and nutrition is vital for people in all stages of life. Searcy Healthcare Center failed its residents in 2006 and 2007 when it failed to offer food that is nutritional, appetizing, tasty, attractive, well-cooked, and at the right temperature. This facility was also cited three times in 2006 and 2007 for failing to store, cook, and give out food in a safe and clean way. Medication errors can be fatal to a nursing home resident. Nursing home residents are dependent upon staff to correctly and timely dispense medications. Searcy Healthcare Center failed its residents twice in 2008 when it failed to keep the rate of medication errors to less than 5%. A March 27, 2008 inspection revealed a medication error rate of 13.4%, which is astonishingly high. This facility also failed in 2006 and 2008 to ensure that residents who take drugs are not given too many doses for too long and failed to ensure that the use of drugs is watched carefully and to stop the drug usage if unwanted effects occur. A safe, clean, homelike environment is important for nursing home residents to thrive. Searcy Healthcare Center failed to ensure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that could cause accidents in eight times between 2006 and 2008, actually placing at least one resident in jeopardy twice during that time. The facility failed to ensure that five residents who were at risk for falls were assessed for causative factors for falls. Additionally, the facility did not develop interventions to prevent falls and implement them. Reportedly, one resident repeatedly fell, suffered a subdural hematoma, and eventually passed away. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure that the facility had a program to keep infection from spreading and failed to ensure that staff members washed their hands when needed. The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling nursing home cases of abuse or neglect and can be reached locally at (501) 663-2287 or toll-free at 1 (888) 317-2525. To see some of the surveys of Searcy Healthcare Center or to learn more about nursing home abuse and neglect, visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation is a 142 bed nursing home facility located in Camden, Arkansas. Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation's inspection deficiency record has met or exceeded the average number of health deficiencies in Arkansas three times in the past three years. Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation received thirteen deficiencies in October 2008, thirteen deficiencies in January 2008, and ten deficiencies in 2007. The average number of nursing home deficiencies in Arkansas is ten. Currently, Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation is rated as a two-star nursing home according to the new system instituted by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which is indicative of a below-average facility.

Nursing home residents deserve to be treated with respect. In fact, state and federal regulations require that facilities treat residents with dignity. Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation failed its residents in December 2005 when it failed to hire only people with no legal history of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating residents and to report and investigate acts or reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents. This facility was also cited in December 2005 for failing to write and use policies that forbid mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and theft of residents' property. Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation also failed in January 2008 and October 2008 to keep each resident free from physical restraints unless needed for medical treatment.

All nursing home residents deserve professional services that meet a professional standard of quality and attain the highest possible quality of life for the resident. This facility failed its residents in quality care measures consistently in the past three years, placing facility residents at risk for harm. Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation failed its residents in February 2007 and October 2008 when it failed to ensure that residents needing special services, such as tracheostomy care, respiratory care, tracheal suctioning, etc., were provided the proper care. In February 2007, the facility failed to ensure that residents entering the facility without a catheter were not catheterized. In some cases, nursing home facilities will catheterize a patient because it makes them easier to care for since there is no time expended in cleaning an incontinent resident. State and federal regulations specifically forbid this practice.

State inspectors also determined that Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation failed several times between 2006 and 2008 to provide assistance for residents who cannot care for themselves with eating, drinking, grooming, and hygiene. The facility failed to provide the proper treatment to prevent new bed sores or heal existing bed sores in January 2008. Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation was also cited in October 2008 for failing to give or get lab tests to meet the needs of residents.

Sometimes, because of their physical or mental infirmities, people forget that nursing home residtnts have designated rights. This facility was cited for violating resident rights in 2007, when the facility failed to immediately inform a resident's doctor or family member about an injury or change in medical condition.

Medication errors can be fatal to a nursing home resident. Nursing home residents are dependent upon staff to correctly and timely dispense medications. Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation failed its residents in this area. Nursing home facilities are required to keep their medication error rate to less than 5%. In February 2007, Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation's medication error rate was an astonishing 10.53%. Six months later, in August 2007, the facility's medication error rate had been reduced to 7.41%, which is still well over the 5% allowance by regulations. In August 2007 and October 2008, this facility also failed to ensure that residents taking medication were not given too many doses or for too long, failed to watch the use of drugs carefully, or stop or change drugs causing unwanted effects. Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation also failed to ensure that a licensed pharmacist checked the medication each resident is taking at least once a month.

A safe, clean, homelike environment is important for nursing home residents to thrive. Ouachita Nursing & Rehabilitation failed to ensure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that could cause accidents in multiple times between 2007 and 2008. The facility was cited in 2007 from failing to have a program to prevent infection and cited for failing to ensure staff members wash their hands as needed in 2008.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling nursing home cases of abuse or neglect. Please feel free to contact us at 1 (501) 663-2287 or toll-free at 1 (888) 317-2525. You may also visit our website at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Lake Village Healthcare Center is a 102 bed nursing home facility located in Lake Village, Arkansas. Lake Village Healthcare Center's inspection deficiency record has exceeded the average number of health deficiencies in Arkansas two times in the past three years. Lake Village Healthcare Center received fourteen deficiencies in October 2008, ten deficiencies in January 2008, and fifteen deficiencies in April 2007. The average number of nursing home deficiencies in Arkansas is ten. Currently, Lake Village Healthcare Center is rated as a two-star nursing home according to the new system instituted by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which is indicative of a below-average facility.

While all nursing home residents deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, Lake Village Healthcare Center failed its residents in January 2008 when it failed to write and use policies that forbid mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and theft of residents' property. Lake Village Healthcare Center also failed in January 2008 to keep each resident free from physical restraints unless needed for medical treatment.

All nursing home residents deserve professional services that meet a professional standard of quality and attain the highest possible quality of life for the resident. This facility failed its residents in quality care measures consistently in the past three years, placing facility residents at risk for harm. Lake Village Healthcare Center actually placed its residents in jeopardy in May 2008 when it failed to give each resident care and services to get or keep the highest quality of life possible. This facility also failed to follow resident care plans multiple times between 2006 and 2008. Care plans are the designated treatment plans that are prepared for each individual resident. When a nursing home facility adopts assembly line methods of care for residents, individuals suffer. This facility was found to have a chronic problem in this regard. Similarly, Lake Village Healthcare Center failed in October 2008 to ensure that residents needing special services, such as tracheostomy care, respiratory care, tracheal suctioning, etc., were provided the proper care. State inspections also revealed that Lake Village Healthcare Center failed to provide assistance for residents who cannot care for themselves with eating, drinking, grooming, and hygiene at least twice between in 2006 and 2008.

The facility was also cited for failing to provide the proper treatment to prevent new bed sores or heal existing bed sores in multiple times between 2006 and 2008.

Bed sores are some of the most painful, undignified and potentially dangerous ailments that affect nursing home residents. In May 2008 and October 2008, inspection records also reflect that Lake Village Healthcare Center failed to give or get lab tests to meet the needs of the residents.

Everyone has rights, regardless of their stage in life. Resident rights were violated at Lake Village Healthcare Center in 2007, when the facility failed to keep each resident's personal and medical records private and confidential.

Medication errors can be fatal to a nursing home resident. Nursing home residents are dependent upon staff to correctly and timely dispense medications. Additionally, nursing homes are required to keep their medication error rate to less than 5%. Lake Village Healthcare Center failed its residents in this area. In March 2006, the facility's medication error rate was 10.17% and January 2008, the facility's medication error rate was 7.27%. In March 2006, this facility failed to ensure that residents taking medication are not given too many doses or for too long, failed to watch the use of drugs carefully, or stop or change drugs causing unwanted effects.

A safe, clean, homelike environment is important for nursing home residents to thrive. Lake Village Healthcare Center failed to ensure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that could cause accidents in multiple times between 2006 and 2008. The facility was cited in 2007 and again in 2008 for failing to have a program to prevent infection.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling nursing home cases of abuse or neglect and can be reached locally at (501) 663-2287 or toll-free at 1 (888) 317-2525. To learn more about nursing home abuse and neglect, visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

The Minor family found justice recently in an Arkansas courtroom for the death of John Minor. His family, which included his wife, stepdaughters, and grandson, sued Sevier Healthcare, Inc. and its facility management company, Regional Management, Inc., in 2005 for their roles in his death due to negligence, violation of Arkansas' long-term care law, and wrongful death.

John Minor was admitted to the facility in August 2002. While there, he suffered from malnutrition and dehydration, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and kidney failure. Moreover, at the time of his death, he had approximately 35 bedsores and it was impossible to embalm him.

The family sought damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of life, and funeral expenses. The Court awarded the family $3.5 million in compensatory damages and $3.5 million in punitive damages. However, there is a chance that the family will not get any of the money from the judgment as both Sevier Healthcare and Regional management have filed for bankruptcy.

Patrick Minor, John Minor's grandson said, "We were satisfied with the court's decision. We hope no one ever has to suffer through what my grandfather did."

The facility, located in DeQueen, Arkansas, is now operating under new ownership with a new name.

Golden Living Center - Heber Springs is a 140 bed nursing home facility located in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Golden Living Center - Heber Springs' inspection deficiency record has exceeded the average number of health deficiencies in Arkansas twice in the past three years. Golden Living Center - Heber Springs received seven deficiencies in 2009, thirteen deficiencies in 2008, and thirteen deficiencies in 2007. The average number of nursing home deficiencies in Arkansas is ten. Currently, Golden Living Center - Heber Springs is rated as a two-star nursing home according to the new system instituted by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which is indicative of a below-average facility.

While all nursing home residents deserve to be treated with respect, Golden Living Center - Heber Springs failed its residents in 2007 when it failed to hire people with no legal history of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating residents and to report and investigate acts or reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents. This facility was also cited in 2007 for failing to write and use policies that forbid mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and theft of residents' property.

All nursing home residents deserve professional services that meet a professional standard of quality and attain the highest possible quality of life for the resident. This facility failed its residents in quality care measures in 2007, 2008, and 2009, actually harming a resident in 2008, according to government inspection reports. Golden Living Center - Heber Springs failed its residents in January 2009 and March 2007 when it failed to ensure that residents entering the facility without a catheter are not given one. State inspectors also determined that Golden Living Center - Heber Springs failed to provide assistance for residents who cannot care for themselves with eating/drinking, grooming, and hygiene in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The facility also failed to provide the proper treatment to prevent new bed sores or heal existing bed sores in April 2008, placing at least one resident at risk for harm.

It is important in nursing homes that the residents are provided with properly balanced meals so ensure good health. Good health and nutrition is vital for people in all stages of life. Golden Living Center - Heber Springs failed its residents in 2008 and 2009 when it failed to offer food that is nutritional, appetizing, tasty, attractive, well-cooked, and at the right temperature. In April 2008, Golden Living failed to provide special eating equipment and utensils for each resident to needed them.

Medication errors can be fatal to a nursing home resident. Nursing home residents are dependent upon staff to correctly and timely dispense medications. Golden Living - Heber Springs failed its residents in both 2007 and 2008 when it failed to keep the rate of medication errors to less than 5%. This facility also failed in 2007 and 2008 to properly mark drugs and other similar products.

A safe, clean, homelike environment is important for nursing home residents to thrive. Golden Living - Heber Springs failed to ensure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that could cause accidents in 2008.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling nursing home cases of abuse or neglect and can be reached locally at (501) 663-2287 or toll-free at 1 (888) 317-2525. To learn more about nursing home abuse and neglect, visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Bryant Healthcare Center is a 116 bed nursing home facility located in Bryant, Arkansas. Bryant Healthcare Center's inspection deficiency record has met or exceeded the average number of health deficiencies in Arkansas twice in the past three years. Bryant Healthcare Center received nineteen deficiencies in 2008, fifteen deficiencies in 2007, and nine deficiencies in 2006. The average number of nursing home deficiencies in Arkansas is ten. Currently, Bryant Healthcare Center is rated as a one-star nursing home according to the new system instituted by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which is indicative of a well below-average facility.

While all nursing home residents deserve to be treated with respect, Bryant Healthcare Center failed its residents twice in 2008 when it failed to keep residents free from physical restraints unless medically necessary. In September 2007, state investigators determined that this facility failed its residents when it failed to hire people who have no legal history of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating residents or to report and investigate acts or reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents. This facility was also cited in 2007 for failing to write and use policies that forbid mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and theft of residents' property.

All nursing home residents deserve professional services that meet a professional standard of quality and attain the highest possible quality of life for the resident. This facility failed its residents in quality care measures in 2007, 2008, and 2009, actually harming a resident in both 2007 and 2008, according to government inspection reports. Bryant Healthcare Center failed its residents in June 2007 and May 2008 when it failed to ensure that residents entering the facility without a catheter are not given one. State inspectors also determined that Bryant Healthcare Center failed to provide proper treatment for residents with feeding tubes to prevent problems such as aspiration pneumonia, vomiting, dehydration, and nasal-pharyngeal ulcers in 2006 and 2008. The facility also failed to provide the proper treatment to prevent new bed sores or heal existing bed sores in 2007 and 2008, and actually harmed a resident in this area in June 2007. Bryant Healthcare Center also failed to ensure that residents unable to care for themselves are provided with assistance with activities of daily living in 2006, 2007, and 2008.

It is important in nursing homes that the residents are provided with properly balanced meals so ensure good health. Good health and nutrition is vital for people in all stages of life. Bryant Healthcare Center failed its residents in 2006 when it failed to offer other nutritional food to each resident who would not eat the food served.

A safe, clean, homelike environment is important for nursing home residents to thrive. Shockingly, Bryant Healthcare Center failed to ensure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that could cause accidents five times between 2007 and 2008. Inspection reports from June 2007, May 2008, and December 2008 revealed that Bryant Healthcare Center did not have a program in place to prevent the spread of infection. This facility also failed to ensure that staff members washed their hands when necessary and ensure that a working call light system was in place in each resident's room, bathroom, and bathing area.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling nursing home cases of abuse or neglect and can be reached locally at (501) 663-2287 or toll-free at 1 (888) 317-2525. To learn more about nursing home abuse and neglect, visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Batesville Healthcare Center is a 150 bed nursing home facility located in Batesville, Arkansas. Batesville Healthcare Center's inspection deficiency record has met or exceeded the average number of health deficiencies in Arkansas twice. Batesville Healthcare Center received ten deficiencies in 2009, twelve deficiencies in 2008, and four deficiencies in 2007. The average number of nursing home deficiencies in Arkansas is ten. Currently, Batesville Healthcare Center is rated as a one-star nursing home according to the new system instituted by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which indicates a well below-average facility.

While all nursing home residents deserve professional services that meet a professional standard of quality and attain the highest possible quality of life for the resident, this facility failed its residents multiple times in the past three years, even placing the residents in immediate jeopardy in October 2007. An "Immediate Jeopardy" citation means that state investigators found circumstances in the facility were such that they could conclude that one or more residents were in immediate jeopardy of having their health or safety compromised. The public reports do not specifically identify the circumstances of this specific event, but in general, an "Immediate Jeopardy" citation is very serious and not to be taken lightly.

The State investigators also determined that Batesville Healthcare Center also failed to provide proper treatment for those needing special services, including injections, colostomy, uerostomy, ileostomy, tracheostomy care, tracheal suctioning, and prostheses in 2007 and 2009. Additionally, state investigators also determined that Batesville Healthcare Center also failed to ensure that residents unable to care for themselves are provided with assistance with activities of daily living in 2007. According to Medicare.gov, this facility failed to follow each resident's written care plan and provide activities to meet the needs of each resident in 2008.

It is important in nursing homes that the residents are provided with properly balanced meals to ensure good health. Good health and nutrition are vital for people in all stages of life, but arguably even more so for the elderly and infirm. Batesville Healthcare Center failed its residents in 2008 and 2009 when it failed to store, cook, and distribute food in a safe, clean way.

Pharmaceutical errors can be deadly to a nursing home resident. Batesville Healthcare Center failed to have drugs and other similar products which are needed every day and in emergencies on hand and distributed properly in 2007 and 2008. According to Medicare.gov Batesville also failed to ensure that residents taking medications were not given too many doses for too long or failed to stop or change medications causing unwanted effects. This facility also failed to ensure that residents were safe from serious medication errors in 2008 and 2009. Residents were placed in another "Immediate Jeopardy" situation in October 2007 when an inspection revealed that the facility did not have a licensed pharmacist checking the drugs that each resident was taking.

A safe, clean, homelike environment is important for nursing home residents to thrive. Batesville Healthcare Center failed to ensure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that could cause accidents four times between 2007 and 2009. A February 8, 2008 inspection revealed that the Batesville facility did not have a program in place to prevent infection from spreading. A January 14, 2009 inspection identified that the facility did not have firmly secured handrails on each side of hallways.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling nursing home cases of abuse or neglect and can be reached locally at (501) 663-2287 or toll-free at 1 (888) 317-2525. To learn more about nursing home abuse and neglect, visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is a 105 bed nursing home facility located in Ash Flat, Arkansas. In the past three years, Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center's inspection deficiency record has consistently remained at or slightly under the average number of health deficiencies in Arkansas. Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center received eight deficiencies in 2008, ten deficiencies in 2007, and nine deficiencies in 2006. The average number of nursing home deficiencies in Arkansas is ten. Still, Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is rated as a one-star nursing home according to the new system instituted by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which is indicative of a facility deemed well below-average.

Of course, all nursing home residents deserve to be safe from abuse and neglect. In September 2007, Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center incurred a astounding three "Immediate Jeopardy" citations. An "Immediate Jeopardy" citation means that the state investigators found circumstances in the facility such that they could conclude that one more more residents were in immediate jeopardy of having their health or safety compromised. In this instance, the faciled failed to hire only people with no legal history of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating residents and to report and investigate any acts or reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents. Further, this facility's failure to write and use policies that forbid mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and theft of residents' property also placed its residents in immediate jeopardy. The state determined that the facility also placed its residents in immediate jeopardy by failing to protect each resident from abuse, physical punishment, and being separated from others.

All nursing home residents deserve professional services that meet a professional standard of quality. This facility failed its residents in this respect in 2007. Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center also failed to provide residents the proper treatment to prevent bed sores or to heal existing bed sores. Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center also failed to ensure that residents unable to care for themselves are provided with assistance with activities of daily living. According to the federal goverment, twice in 2007 this facility failed to provide the proper treatment to residents with feeding tubes to prevent problems, such as aspiration pneumonia, vomiting, dehydration, and nasal-pharyngeal ulcers.

The need for a balanced diet does not end when one becomes a resident of a long-term care facility. The 2008 investigation revealed that Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center failed its residents when it failed to store, cook, and distribute food in a safe, clean way.

Pharmaceutical errors can be deadly to a nursing home resident. Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center failed to have drugs and other similar products which are needed every day and in emergencies on hand and distributed properly in 2007 and 2008. According to government investigators, Ash Flat also failed to ensure that residents taking medications were not given too many doses for too long or failed to stop or change medications causing unwanted effects. This facility also failed to properly mark drugs and others similar products in 2007.

A safe, clean, homelike environment is important for nursing home residents to thrive. Ash Flat Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center failed to ensure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that could cause accidents three times between 2007 and 2008. This facility also failed to move, clean, and store sheets, towels, and other linens in such a way that would prevent the spread of infection in 2007 and 2008. In 2007, an inspection revealed that Ash Flat did not have a program in place to prevent the spread of infection.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling nursing home cases of abuse or neglect and can be reached locally at (501) 663-2287 or toll-free at 1 (888) 317-2525. To learn more about nursing home abuse and neglect, visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Golden Living Center - Golf Links is a 152 bed nursing home facility located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In the past three years, Golden Living Center - Golf Link's inspection deficiency record has surpassed the average number of health deficiencies in Arkansas twice. Golden Living Center - Golf Links received seventeen deficiencies in 2008, six deficiencies in 2007, and sixteen deficiencies in 2006. The average number of nursing home deficiencies in Arkansas is ten. Currently, Golden Living Center - Golf Links is rated as a one-star nursing home according to the new system instituted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, which indicates a much below-average facility.

All nursing home residents deserve to be protected from mistreatment, neglect, and/or theft of property. This facility failed its residents at least once in this respect, actually causing harm to some of its residents. This facility also failed to write and use policies that forbid mistreatment, neglect and abuse of residents and theft of residents' property. It also failed to keep its residents free from physical restraints unless absolutely necessary.

All nursing home residents deserve professional services that follow their written care plan. This facility failed its residents in this respect multiple times in the past three years. Golden Living - Golf Links also failed to provide residents the proper treatment to prevent bed sores or to heal existing bed sores, causing actual harm to its residents. Moreover, Golden LIving - Golf Links failed to ensure that residents entering the facility without a catheter is not given one unless necessary, failed to ensure that residents unable to care for themselves are provided with assistance with activities of daily living, and failed ensure that each residents' nutritional needs are met.

All nursing home residents have the right to be treated fairly and with respect. Golden Living - Golf Links failed its residents when it failed to ensure that each resident's personal and medical records were kept private and confidential and when it failed to provide care in such a way that keeps or builds each resident's dignity and self-respect.

It is important in nursing homes that the residents are provided with properly balanced meals so ensure good health. Golden Living - Golf Links failed its residents when it failed to ensure that its residents were well-nourished multiple times over the past three years. It also failed to prepare food that it nutritional, appetizing, tasty, attractive and well-cooked for its residents. The facility did not provide special eating equipment and utensils for each resident who needs them and did not store, cook, and distribute food in a safe, clean way.

It is crucial that nursing homes timely provide the correct medication to its residents. Golden Living - Golf Links failed to ensure that residents were safe from serious medication errors and failed multiple times to keep the medication error rate to less than 5%.

A safe, clean, homelike environment is important for nursing home residents to thrive. Golden Living - Golf Links failed to ensure that the facility staff washed their hands when necessary and failed to provide the necessary housekeeping and maintenance. The facility also failed to ensure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that could cause accidents multiple times.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling nursing home cases of abuse or neglect and can be reached locally at (501) 663-2287 or toll-free at 1 (888) 317-2525. To learn more about nursing home abuse and neglect, visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.

Golden Living Center - North Little Rock is a 120 bed nursing home facility located in North Little Rock, Arkansas. In the past three years, Golden Living Center - North Little Rock's inspection deficiency record has surpassed the average number of health deficiencies in Arkansas twice. Golden Living Center - North Little Rock received twenty-four deficiencies in 2008, nine deficiencies in 2007, and twenty-eight deficiencies in 2006. The average number of nursing home deficiencies in Arkansas is ten. Currently, Golden Living Center - North Little Rock is rated as a one-star nursing home according to the new system instituted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid.

Nursing home facilities are required to hire people who have no legal history of abusing, neglecting, or mistreating residents and to report and investigate any acts or reports of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents. Nursing home facilities are also required to write and use policies that forbid mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents. Golden Living Center - North Little Rock failed its residents at least twice in these areas. Additionally, this facility failed to keep each resident free from physical restraints unless medically necessary.

Nursing homes are required to give each resident the care and services necessary to get or keep the highest quality of life possible for its residents. This facility failed its residents at least three times in this respect in the last three years. This Golden Living facility also failed to provide the proper treatment to residents with feeding tubes to prevent problems, such as aspiration pneumonia, vomiting, and nasal-pharyngeal ulcers, and to restore eating skills, if possible, multiple times in the past three years. The facility failed to provide professional services that followed each resident's care plan and have enough nurses to care for every resident in a way that maximizes the resident's well-being. This facility also consistently failed to make sure that residents who could not care for themselves with activities of daily living received the appropriate assistance and failed to make sure that residents entering the facility without a catheter did not receive one.

All nursing home residents have rights. This Golden Living failed to tell a resident's physician or family of a major change in the resident's condition, failed to keep each resident's personal and medical records confidential, and allow residents to see the results of the nursing home's survey easily. The facility was also cited for failing to allow the residents to give themselves their medications when able.

Golden Living - North Little Rock failed to have drugs and other similar products available which are needed both every day and in emergencies and to distribute them properly and to make sure that residents are safe from serious medication errors.

Every nursing home resident is entitled to a safe, clean, and homelike facility. Golden Living - North Little Rock failed its residents in this respect. This facility failed to ensure that the nursing home area was free of dangers that cause accidents and provide the necessary housekeeping and maintenance and to get rid of garbage properly. Golden Living also failed to ensure that staff members washed their hands when necessary and to have a program in place to keep infection from spreading.

The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling nursing home cases of abuse or neglect and can be reached locally at (501) 663-2287 or toll-free at 1 (888) 317-2525. To learn more about nursing home abuse and neglect, visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.