Articles Posted in Southern California Elder Abuse

Powerful antipsychotic drugs are frequently used in San Diego County nursing homes to address behavioral issues caused by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, including aggression, agitation, and delirium. However, these drugs can have serious consequences for elders and can easily be misused or incorrectly prescribed. According to the Consumer Voice, when antipsychotic drugs are prescribed for elderly persons with dementia, serious medical complications can occur such as loss of independence, over-sedation, confusion, falls, and even death. Recently, nursing home advocates and those of us working in North County elder abuse law have been concerned about the misuse of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes and residential facilities. Finally, however, the government is taking notice, and a federal agency has announced a new initiative to address this so-called “drugging epidemic.”

According to an elder care statement released by the Consumer Voice, the federal campaign has been launched in order to bring about the end of the use of antipsychotic drugs as chemical restraints for seniors. Unfortunately, some nursing homes in the San Diego area and across the nation improperly use strong antipsychotic medications to control elderly residents by effectively drugging them into submission.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General reported that the overwhelming majority of Medicare claims for antipsychotic drug were inappropriate. Michael Connors, Long-Term Care Advocate with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, stated that “[t]oo many nursing homes use antipsychotic drugs as a way to control residents when they don’t have enough well-trained staff who know their residents well and can give them the time and attention they need.” Additionally, many facilities fail to obtain the proper consent from residents or their families. Another elder care advocate asserted that chemical restraints are just as dangerous for residents as physical restraints, which frequently are a sign of abuse.

The San Diego nursing home neglect lawyers at the Walton Firm have learned about another appalling case of elder abuse and neglect. A San Diego woman is accused of elder abuse of a 93-year-old WWII veteran. The woman, 62-year-old Milagros Angeles, allegedly stole money from the victim and also failed to provide adequate care for him. The abuse came to light when bank employees became suspicious after the victim, Arnold “Max” Bauer, stopped coming in to do his banking. Investigators from Adult Protective Services checked on the elderly man and found him living in squalid conditions.

Elder abuse can often be hard to detect and is usually underreported. It can include falls or fractures, malnutrition, bed sores, infections, and poor maintenance of facility conditions.

In addition to California elder abuse, the victim’s caretaker in this case was charged with false imprisonment, theft by a caretaker, and possession of altered checks. According to reports by 10news.com, the victim’s home was littered with trash and rat feces. Dirty dishes and rotten food covered the kitchen counters. The caretaker allegedly lied to the elderly man’s family, telling them that he was fine and eating well.