As Florida’s population continues to age, the number of residents living under the care of nursing homes will rise, tripling in size in the next thirty years. Currently, Florida contains 682 nursing homes that house 73,000 elderly Floridians. Health care experts estimate that 69% of all elderly Florida residents will stay in a residential care facility at some point in their lives. The average stay in a nursing home is 386 days, though stays are increasingly becoming shorter and shorter as nursing homes turn their focus to more profitable short-term stays. Residential care facilities currently care for twice as many acute short-stay patients as long-term residents. Medicare and Medicaid, state and federal-funded health care for elderly and indigent patients, pay for a whopping 79% of all nursing home costs. As such, nursing homes have recently come under strict scrutiny by the Florida Attorney General’s Office for Medicaid and Medicare fraud.
The nursing home industry is a profitable business, bringing in over $20 billion in revenue each year in Florida. Because it is a business, nursing homes often times place profits before patients. Elder mistreatment is a term commonly used to describe the negligent or intentional harm to elderly patients living in nursing home facilities. Elderly individuals are vulnerable, especially when they suffer from acute or chronic health issues. These residents rely upon nursing homes, nurses, aides, and doctors to monitor their health, provide them with necessities, and address any hygiene or medical issues in a prompt manner. However, due to carelessness, poor management or poor funding, many nursing homes attempt to cut corners, sacrificing patient wellbeing in the process. This can lead to elder abuse or neglect.
When an elderly patient is neglected or abused, they may be too scared or simply unable to report issues to family. If you suspect that a loved one is being neglected or abused by nursing home staff, Kaiser Romanello can assist you with investigating your fears and swiftly and aggressively pursuing justice. Kaiser Romanello has worked with Florida’s elderly population for years, servicing clients and their worried family members with fighting negligent nursing homes. We can help you understand your potential claims, investigate your case, negotiate with the nursing home, and pursue compensation in court. We can also assist you with reporting the nursing home to the Florida Attorney General’s Office. To schedule a free case consultation on potential elderly neglect or abuse, contact the nursing home neglect lawyers at Kaiser Romanello today.
ELDER MISTREATMENT IN FLORIDA
Nursing home mistreatment occurs when the nursing home acts intentionally or negligently, causing either harm or serious risk of harm to the patient. Due to the elderly patient’s vulnerable condition and compromised health, the nursing home is entrusted with providing compassionate and comprehensive residential and medical care for the elderly patient. These responsibilities include:
- Monitoring the patient’s vital signs
- Providing staffed nurses and doctors
- Dispensing prescribed medication
- Providing access to food and water
- Bathing the patient
- Assisting the patient with using the restroom
- Following the treating doctor’s instructions regarding medical care
Unfortunately, nursing homes fail to fulfill their duties for approximately 1 out of every 10 Florida nursing home residents. A nursing home can breach its duty by intentionally harming the patient, failing to provide for the patient’s basic needs or failing to protect the patient from harm.
NURSING HOME ABUSE IN FLORIDA
Elder abuse refers to the intentional harm of an elderly nursing home patient. Due to their vulnerable status, elderly patients are unable to protect or defend themselves during attacks. Elder abuse commonly occurs between aides and patients in the privacy of the patient’s room. Many patients are intimidated by the aide and never report the abuse. Other patients are physically unable to report abuse due to cognitive or other issues. Common signs of physical abuse include unexplained bruising, signs of fear and distrustfulness, and mood swings. In addition, financial abuse involving the theft of the patient’s funds can also occur.
NURSING HOME NEGLECT IN FLORIDA
Elder neglect occurs when the nursing home is negligent in caring for the patient. For instance, the nursing home fails to properly bathe the patient, resulting in bedsores. Bedsores are extremely dangerous for elderly patients because if undetected, they can become infected. Elderly patients have compromised immune systems that are not capable of fighting infections on their own. A simple bedsore can result in a prolonged and lengthy emergency room stay, a regimen of antibiotics, and astronomical medical bills. Nursing home neglect often times occurs because the nursing home cuts back on staff in order to save on operating costs. Less staff means less time spent individually monitoring each patient. Minor issues can become deadly when an elderly patient is not properly cared for.
NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE IN FLORIDA
Nursing homes can also be negligent in failing to protect elderly residents from harm. Nursing homes are tasked with supervising their patients. Many of these patients have cognitive issues such as dementia and mental illness. The nursing home is responsible for ensuring the safety of these residents. If the nursing home is not properly supervising a patient with dementia and the patient is able to escape the facility and is hit by a car, the nursing home will be liable for negligence.
KAISER ROMANELLO IS PREPARED TO ASSIST YOUR FAMILY IN AGGRESSIVELY PURSUING COMPENSATION FOR ATROCIOUS ACTS OF ELDER NEGLECT
Elder abuse causes a 300% higher risk of premature death, as well as an additional $5.3 billion in medical expenses each year. Kaiser Romanello has worked closely with families who suspect nursing homes of abuse and neglect. To schedule a free consultation with our nursing home neglect lawyers, contact Kaiser Romanello now to discuss your potential claims.
