Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale and surrounding areas
May 15th, 2012
According to the Alzheimer Association’s 2011 facts and figures report, nearly five million Americans over the age of 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s. Approximately 75 percent of people with Alzheimer’s will be placed in a nursing home by the age of 80.
Having a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be terribly difficult and often requires the assistance of trained medical professionals. While it is never an easy decision, placing a loved one with Alzheimer’s into a care facility is often in the best interest of both them and your family. Sadly, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are linked to physical abuse in nursing homes, putting your loved one at an increased risk for nursing home abuse and neglect.
What You Can Do
The first thing you can do to protect your loved one is to carefully select a nursing home with a highly trained staff in caring for patients with dementia. Taking time to visit prospective nursing homes, interview staff and management, and see other residents firsthand can give you a good indication of the care you can expect your loved one to receive.
Even with your best efforts, it is not always possible to protect your loved one from nursing home abuse and neglect. If you notice any of the signs of abuse, contacting the lawyers who are doctors at Cullan & Cullan, M.D., J.D. can help ensure these injustices are put to a stop and your loved one remains safe and comfortable.
If you suspect your loved one is suffering abuse or neglect in their Arizona nursing home, please contact Cullan & Cullan, M.D., J.D. to schedule a free case evaluation today.
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April 10th, 2012
When you are selecting a nursing home for your loved one, there are a number of things to keep in mind. One of the most important things to keep in mind is how a prospective nursing home is staffed.
Your loved one’s care facility should be a place where they can receive unmitigated care, day or night. This care should be thorough and attentive, providing your loved one with everything they need to live their life comfortably and safely.
However, even in well-staffed nursing homes, abuse and neglect from improperly trained workers and volunteers is possible. Just like staff, volunteer workers are a representative of the homes in which they provide services and, as is the case with nursing home abuse and neglect from staff members, the nursing home can be held liable for any physical or emotional injuries their volunteers cause.
How We Can Help
The experienced attorneys at Cullan&Cullan, M.D., J.D. are both medical doctors and lawyers. With years of experience holding negligent homes and their staff accountable for their actions, we know exactly what to look for to prove liability and hold abusive workers responsible.
We are dedicated to the safety and comfort of our senior population. Working with your family on an individual level, we will fight tooth and nail to ensure justice is served and your loved one is provided the care and respect they deserve.
If your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect from a volunteer at their nursing home in Arizona, please contact Cullan&Cullan, M.D., J.D. to schedule a free case evaluation today.
Posted in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect | Comments Off
March 12th, 2012
When a nursing home is understaffed or the employees are not adequately trained, your loved one may receive the incorrect medication or be kept in an overmedicated state.
The Wrong Medication
A widespread form of nursing home negligence is residents being provided the wrong prescription drug. If your loved one receives the wrong medication, he or she could suffer life-threatening complications if they are allergic or the drug has an adverse reaction with a medication they are already on.
Overmedicating Residents
Overworked staff or staff who haven’t been properly trained can also lead to overmedication. If nursing home staff doesn’t properly follow prescription drug instructions, residents can receive dangerous levels of medication.
Perhaps more devastating than circumstances in which nursing home residents are overmedicated due to negligence are situations in which staff medicate patients with unnecessary antipsychotic drugs. This can also cause adverse reactions, and even wrongful death.
If you believe your loved one is being provided the wrong medication or is being overmedicated in a nursing home or other care facility, please contact the experienced Arizona nursing home abuse attorneys at Cullan & Cullan, M.D., J.D., for a free case consultation.
Posted in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect | Comments Off
February 17th, 2012
It is an unfortunate fact that many nursing home residents suffer from malnutrition and dehydration. These harmful and potentially fatal conditions can occur for various reasons: malnutrition may result from dental problems or a resident’s inability to process food while dehydration can be caused by diarrhea and some medications.
The most devastating causes of malnutrition and dehydration are due to nursing home negligence, which may be the result of:
- Failure to properly supervise kitchen employees, who are responsible for providing nutritious meals
- Insufficient staff, which leads to employees’ inability to properly feed all residents
- Inadequate attention to residents who need assistance with eating
- Poorly educated employees who do not pay attention to proper nutrition and feeding methods
- Reliance on liquid supplements instead of ensuring that each resident eats enough food to obtains the necessary vitamins, minerals and caloric intake
If you see that your loved one exhibits signs of malnutrition or dehydration, immediately notify the nursing staff to reduce the risk of a potentially serious, life-threatening condition.
If you believe your loved one is suffering from malnutrition or dehydration in a nursing home or other care facility, please contact the experienced Arizona nursing home abuse attorneys at Cullan & Cullan, M.D., J.D., for a free case consultation.
Posted in Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect | Comments Off
December 12th, 2011
Report of abuse and neglect in nursing homes have increased in recent years, and are expected to continue rising. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) reports approximately three million people live in nursing homes. This aging population continues to grow due to the Baby Boomer generation.
Why Avoidable Injuries Happen
Nursing homes are profit-driven businesses, often owned by large corporations. To increase profits, nursing homes sometimes cut expenses. Consequently, proper care suffers. Homes are understaffed and workers are often improperly trained. In addition, proper supervision may be lacking, and can result in wrongful death.
Although Federal law mandates high standards for care, too many nursing homes fail to enforce these standards. To protect your family member residing in a nursing home, pay attention during visits. If your loved one withdraws when a caregiver is present, has significant behavioral changes, or refuses to participate in favorite activities, this may indicate abuse or neglect.
Watch for these other suspicious injuries:
- Pressure sores
- Malnutrition / Dehydration
- Cuts and bruises
- Infections and fevers
- Medication errors
- Unexplained falls and fractures
- Lack of proper hygienic conditions
- Genital sores and infections (indicating sexual abuse)
- Wrongful death
If You Suspect Abuse
If you suspect abuse, visit the nursing home at random times. Observe your loved one and the caregivers at different times of the day. If caregivers are not expecting you, you are more likely to notice something is amiss.
If your loved one reports abuse, take it seriously. Please contact the Arizona nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Cullan & Cullan M.D., J.D. today to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and all of Arizona.
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November 10th, 2011
Nursing home wrongful death is devastating because a life has been lost. Even more disheartening is the fact that many nursing home deaths could be prevented with adequate training and proper staff supervision. Abuse and neglect are not only physical. Sexual trauma and emotional abuse can also occur at alarming rates.
How You Can Help Stop Nursing Home Abuse
If your loved one died due to abuse or neglect, take a moment right now to learn about what you can do to stop nursing home abuse and protect someone else’s loved one from the same fate. Do not assume your family member passed away because of advanced age alone. The coroner may list the cause of death as “heart failure”, but this condition may have begun due to malnutrition, dehydration, or a number of other causes.
Neglect and abuse may not always be evident. Look for these typical signs:
- Pressure sores or bedsores
- Wandering without supervision
- Falls
- Improper or unnecessary restraints
- Neglect of daily patient care
- Medication errors
Abuse and neglect may not be purposeful. However, if the nursing home is understaffed or the workers are improperly trained to provide the best care possible, the result is the same.
If Your Loved One Dies
Seeking justice for a wrongful death will not take away the pain of your loss. However, it may help ensure other residents do not suffer the same fate. You have the right to seek legal assistance, compensation, and justice for your loved one and nursing home residents everywhere.
Cullan & Cullan M.D., J.D. are lawyers who are also doctors. We understand the complexities of nursing home abuse and wrongful death.
Please contact our Phoenix nursing home abuse attorneys today to arrange for a confidential, no-cost consultation. We serve clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and all of Arizona.
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October 16th, 2011
A care plan must be developed for every patient in a nursing home facility, as mandated by Federal law. All residents must be evaluated mentally, physically and emotionally to determine the best health care course possible, with the purpose of protecting all patients from nursing home abuse and neglect.
The Care Plan for Your Love One
In order to continue receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds, nursing homes are required to adhere to the Nursing Home Reform Act (OBRA 1987). The Act underscores the minimum standard for “services and activities to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident.”
The care plan is developed by the medical professionals responsible for your loved one’s care. You have the right to meet with these people to express your concerns and wishes about the care plan. You can also ask what care will be given, and by whom. Finally, you have the right to ensure the plan is followed and obtain a copy of the care plan.
When the Care Plan is Disregarded
If a care plan is disregarded or neglected, it may signal neglect or abuse on the part of nursing home administrators and staff. The abuse may be physical, emotional, or sexual and can encompass neglect, medication errors, or improper or unnecessary confinement.
Sometimes, care plans are disregarded because of inadequate training or supervision, or a lack of staff. However, the reason does not matter. Failure to follow the plan can lead to malnutrition, pressure sores or even wrongful death.
If you suspect your loved one’s caregivers have disregarded the care plan, talk with attorneys who are also doctors. Cullan & Cullan M.D., J.D. has lawyers who are also doctors. They will investigate caregivers if you believe your loved one has been injured due to nursing home abuse or neglect.
Please contact our Phoenix nursing home abuse lawyers today to schedule your confidential no-cost consultation. We serve clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and all of Arizona.
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September 26th, 2011
If your loved one’s behavior changes suddenly while residing in a nursing home, this may indicate abuse or neglect. Even when a patient suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and cannot communicate well, look for changes in appetite, excessive crying, inappropriate or dangerous behavior, withdrawal from favorite activities or people, or fearfulness, as these can all be signs of nursing home neglect or abuse. Common forms of abuse include physical, emotional or sexual trauma, unnecessary use of chemical or physical restraints, malnutrition and dehydration and gross neglect in caring adequately for the patient’s daily needs.
Know how to recognize the physical and emotional signs of abuse. Pay attention if your loved one exhibits behavioral changes or reports abuse to you.
If You See Behavioral Changes
Your loved one may be unwilling or unable to communicate abuse or neglect. The elderly are at the mercy of caregivers and may fear retribution or be too ashamed to admit the abuse has taken place. In many cases, a resident is simply unable to describe what has happened. Sadly, others may not even realize they have been abused.
Take these actions, if you suspect abuse:
- Talk to caregivers. Pay attention to their body language, and observe how they care for your loved one. Get to know the caregivers by name. Keep notes regarding your visits with your loved one.
- Talk to the other residents, especially a roommate and their family members. Get to know your loved one’s roommate by name, and get their family’s phone number so that if you need to contact them you can. They can be a great source of information.
- Make surprise visits. Vary your schedule to observe your loved one’s treatment at different times of day.
- Listen to conversations between caregivers for clues to attitudes about patient care.
Most importantly, if you suspect nursing home abuse has occurred, contact the Arizona nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Cullan & Cullan M.D.,J.D. today to schedule your no-cost consultation. We serve clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and all of Arizona.
Posted in Behavioral Changes, Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect | No Comments »
August 8th, 2011
Many nursing homes are shorthanded and inadequately trained. Although Federal and state laws demand high safety standards, residents are often at the mercy of improper supervision and poorly trained staff, resulting in injury or wrongful death. Understanding what constitutes abuse is helpful if you suspect your loved one has suffered emotional or physical trauma.
According to the Administration on Aging (AOA), abuse is “any knowing, intentional, or negligent act”. Therefore, abuse can include physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or abandonment.
If you believe your loved one or another patient is in danger, move the patient to a safe location and do not leave him or her alone. Contact the nursing home supervisor. If a report is not properly addressed by the nursing home administrator, contact the proper state agency immediately. Contact local law enforcement. Then, choose a highly qualified nursing home attorney that can help you protect your loved one’s rights.
Document Abuse
Keep a record of the abuse. If dressings are not changed on time, clothes or linens are soiled, personal hygiene is lacking and you note bruises or other signs of physical trauma, these observations should be documented. Take photos of bruises or other physical signs of abuse. Record the date and the names of everyone responsible for your loved one’s care. Get copies of all medical records. Be proactive in protecting your family member from abuse.
Seek legal counsel immediately if you suspect a patient has been neglected, abused, or suffered wrongful death. Dr. Gene Cullan and Dr. Sam Cullan are AV-rated trial attorneys and doctors who understand both the legal and medical issues surrounding poor-quality nursing home care.
Please contact our Phoenix nursing home abuse lawyers today to schedule your free, confidential consultation. We serve clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and all of Arizona.
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July 21st, 2011
Nursing homes are often understaffed or do not provide staff and volunteers with proper training. Before subjecting your loved one to nursing home care, investigate the facility thoroughly. A lack of trained staff, understaffing, and poor supervision frequently results in nursing home abuse and neglect.
Evaluating the Staff
Ask for credentials of medical professionals. Make sure they have the training and education to properly care for your loved one. The staff should be able to adequate address physical, mental, emotional, and psychological issues and proper treatments for every patient’s unique circumstances.
Talk to the administrators. Learn about training programs for properly transferring patients, and procedures to ensure doctors, staff, and volunteers know patients’ needs thoroughly. Make sure your loved one is protected from falls, head trauma or other life-threatening injuries.
Improperly Trained Volunteers
Volunteers are not licensed or trained medical professionals. Volunteers cannot comprehend all of the illnesses and diseases and their treatments presented by nursing home residents. In many cases, the nursing home does not undertake a serious training program for volunteers. A lack of proper training can result in poor quality of life or wrongful death.
Medication Dispensing Errors
Nursing home patients suffer from a variety of illnesses requiring a wide range of different medications. Misuse or abuse of medications often results in abuse and neglect and can lead to grave injury or wrongful death.
Medication dispensing errors include wrong dosages or incorrect medications, a failure to recognize or treat adverse drug interactions, staff miscommunications, and a lack of knowledge of the patient’s complete medical history.
The attorneys at Cullan & Cullan, M.D., J.D. fight passionately for the medical and legal rights of nursing home residents. Please contact our Arizona nursing home abuse attorneys today to schedule your no-cost confidential consultation. We serve clients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and all of Arizona.
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