Nursing Home Failed to Give Residents Medication in the Latest Case of Elderly Neglect

Recent incidents of nursing home neglect are raising some serious concerns in Connecticut. At a facility in Danielson, residents were not being given medications as ordered by their doctor. Medications were withheld in 18 cases and unused medicines were found on nurses’ supply carts. Patients who have congestive heart failure, seizures, diabetes, and hypertension did not receive medicines they needed. In the worst case, a diabetic patient was not given Glucophage for seven months.

Regency Heights of Danielson, the nursing home at fault, faces a $3,000 fine from the Department of Public Health. Ciena Healthcare owns this nursing home and many others throughout Connecticut and Michigan. After the incident, the director had staff re-educated on medication procedures.

In the second quarter of 2011, 16 nursing homes were assessed civil fines by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Failure to monitor patient conditions, administer medicines, prevent falls and accidents, and carry out reasonable patient care happens all too often.
The state’s Office of the Commissioner of Social Services and its social workers will investigate a nursing home or long-term care facility that is compromising a person’s legal rights and livelihood. Abuse, abandonment, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly can cause serious injuries and even death.

“There is a need for more training and resources for adult protective services,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). “My hope is that Connecticut will see more federal funding – it’s one of my priorities.”

Blumenthal is the chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and says that state and national efforts need to increase to not just punish elder abuse but deter it. He is looking to create an Office of Elder Justice at the U.S. Department of Justice and increase elder abuse penalties.

Family members, health care professionals, and individuals must speak up when elder abuse occurs. State social services and a Connecticut nursing home abuse attorney should be promptly contacted to uphold the elderly person’s rights. Careless and negligent caregivers and facilities are accountable for their actions.

The skilled Connecticut nursing home abuse lawyers at Stratton Faxon have successfully litigated and settled nursing home and elder abuse cases. The law firm is dedicated to seeking justice for the elderly, thoroughly investigating a case, and has access to leading expert witnesses. They are revered by their peers and clients for the highest quality of service and winning verdicts.

Alexandra Reed writes for Connecticut personal injury law firm, Stratton Faxon. Contact Stratton Faxon to speak with a Connecticut accident lawyer about your personal injury, wrongful death, or Connecticut malpractice case. To learn more, visit Strattonfaxon.com.