Walton Law Firm LLP has filed an elder abuse lawsuit against Vista Hospital of Riverside, it’s owner Vista Healthcare, LLC and Dr. Joel Pengson. The complaint alleges that Shirley Buffa was admitted to Vista Hospital of Riverside on May 16, 2008 and died on May 27th, 11 days later. The…
A study of bed sore rates in nursing homes with a high concentration of Hispanic residents found that Hispanics were more likely to have bed sores (or pressure ulcers) than nursing homes with less Hispanic patients. The researchers looked at two data sources, the Minimum Data Set, federally mandated health…
Elder Abuse and Neglect: On February 26, 2009 the Department of Health & Human Services, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the results of the most recent survey of Vista Hospital of Riverside, located in Perris, California. The results reveal shocking examples of neglect. The California Department of Public…
For the fourth congress in a row, a bill designed to protect seniors from elder abuse has been reintroduced. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark, submitted the bill with the goal of protecting elderly Americans from physical, financial, and psychological abuse. The bill would order the federal government…
The Ombudsman Services of Northern California, an organization dedicated to creating a corps of compassionate advocates for residents in long-term care facilities believes that state budget cuts to its ombudsman program will lead directly to an increase in cases of elder abuse and neglect. This year the organization, which tracks…
In increasing numbers, young and middle-aged mentally ill patients are being housed with older people in nursing homes. It has proved to be a dangerous practice for older residents. The younger, stronger, mentally-disturbed residents have lashed out at the older, frailer residents who often are defenseless against the attacks. Sons…
Every year the typical nursing home will report approximately 1.5 falls per bed, and most falls go unreported. In fact, studies show that 75% of nursing home residents will fall at least once in a year, and nearly one-third of those involve a resident who is deemed non-ambulatory. Sadly, approximately…
Escondido Nursing Center received the state’s most severe citation – a AA – after the choking death of an elderly resident. According to reports, the 180-bed facility failed to modify the resident’s nutrition plan after his physician placed him on a special diet because of chewing and swallowing difficulties. During…
U.S. News & World Report is out with an article on the common problems found in U.S. nursing homes in an interview with attorney Eric Carlson, author of 20 Common Nursing Home Problems. As a nursing home abuse lawyer, I found the article enormously helpful; particularly the answer to the…
Many nursing homes are now marketing themselves as “rehabilitation” facilities in an effort to attract the ideal resident: one who stays under 100 days then goes elsewhere. Why? Because Medicare provides lucrative fees for skilled nursing care. It is not uncommon for nursing homes to discharge residents, often prematurely, when…