|
Local Law Firms Home > Nursing Home & Elder Law Overview > Abandonment Nursing home abandonment is a common problem that may or may not be intentional on the part of the care givers. It can happen because the ratio of staff to patients is highly inadequate and the employees are just too overworked and overwhelmed to provide adequate care for everyone. It can also happen because the staff has been instructed not to provide all the forms of care they are required to by law and by agreement with the resident or resident's family. Listed below are the common forms of abandonment:
Numerous civil and criminal lawsuits have been filed against nursing homes that fail to monitor the movement of residents, resulting in patients who fall or slip with no one around to help them. Not changing soiled bed sheets and clothing and not turning over patients in bed regularly can lead to bed sores and rashes. Not providing residents with adequate food and medication will directly affect their physical health. Unresponsiveness to a bell from a resident may even cause death in case of an emergency. A lot of this is simply about staffing problems, with too few and untrained staff members as caregivers. But it may also be outright fraud, where the management may not provide medication and food to save money. Did you know? Nursing homes guilty of abandonment may have their Medicare and Medicaid authorized caregiver registration cancelled. Abandonment can be construed as fraud under the False Claims Act and the nursing home may no longer qualify for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements |