Hidden Cameras in Nursing Homes? More Common Than You May Think
June 21, 2013
Billion Dollar Nursing Home Abuse Verdict in Florida
July 30, 2013
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine Taking Action on Nursing Home Abuse
This Month in Ohio, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) reported that over the last several months they’ve noticed an augmentation in nursing home abuse and neglect complaints. To report nursing home abuse in Ohio, please visit the Ohio Department of Health for more help. Also contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office here: 800-282-0515.
Mike DeWine, Attorney General of Ohio, announced his office has seen nearly twice as many complaints compared to this time last year (131 compared to 74 last year). DeWine has gone on the record to state that his staff has actively opened 63 complaints, and that the authorities within his office are actively investigating care within local nursing homes.
Autumn Healthcare in Zanesville, Ohio Shutdown
In June of 2013 Attorney General DeWine, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health and Aging, worked together to revoke the license needed to operate the Autumn Healthcare facility. The MFCU lead the investigation. They found the facility to be inadequate, the facility lacked the proper nutritional and medical care to operate within the law.
Elder Abuse Complaints Rise Nationally as Well
Today in the United States, an estimated 2.1 million American are direct victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation. With recent studies also claiming that only 1 in 5 of those instances actually goes on to be reported; People like Mike DeWine notice that nursing home abuse is not only a problem in homes and facilities across our country; it’s more like an epidemic. With 2 million elders being abuse or neglect each year, and only four to five hundred thousand of them actually being reported; if more people just reported, awareness would rise.
Issue’s with Reporting Abuse
But why does nursing home abuse go un-reported? It’s simple. Many of the abused are alzheimer’s patients. Many seniors have a fear of what may happened to them next, after they report abuse. Families are not paying attention to the warning signs of elder abuse (Bedsores, sepsis, malnutrition, dehydration, bruises or scarring). It’s important for families when visiting to ask their loved ones about the care they are receiving in the facility, and to pay attention to any mood swings your loved one may be having. Please visit State Elder Abuse Hotlines to report nursing home abuse in your state.
