Nursing Home Neglect at Country Villa?

COUNTRY VILLA PLAZA CONVALESCENT CENTER 1209 HEMLOCK WAY SANTA ANA, CA

Retirement home and nursing home facilities promise to care for our vulnerable senior citizens from medicine and food, to proper personal care to ensure their wellbeing. Billions of dollars in profit from Medicare, Medicaid and from private family and individual payments make up the nursing home industry in America, yet thousands upon thousands of elderly are abused, injured, or die each year. The statistics in Orange County, California alone are unbelievable: in 2009, 53,246 cases of elderly abuse were reported.

The Country Villa Plaza Convalescent Center nursing home in Santa Ana is listed because it has caused potential harm and immediate jeopardy to one or more patients. In fact, it was sued by the state for $25,000 after an elderly patient died because of negligence. One state official went so far as to call it a dog of a place. Another resident had died the year before from the same cause. The state alleges they both choked on food because of failure from the staff to follow a doctor's orders.

These tragic and preventable deaths can be prevented. If you or someone you love has been mistreated or neglected at the Country Villa Plaza, or at other Santa Ana Nursing Homes, call us at 949-203-3814 for a free consultation to let you know your options and answer all your questions.

Some saddening violations include:

• Have a program to keep infection from spreading.
• Keep the rate of medication errors (wrong drug, wrong dose, wrong time) to less than 5%.
• Make sure that each resident's nutritional needs were met. -provide three meals a day at regular times.
• Provide social services for related medical problems to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life. -protect residents from abuse and physical punishment.
• Protect each resident from all abuse, physical punishment, and being separated from others. -make sure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that cause accidents.
• Protect residents from mistreatment, neglect, and/or theft of personal property.
• Make sure that the nursing home area is free of dangers that cause accidents.
• Provide care in a way that keeps or builds each resident's dignity and self respect.
• Make sure that doctors visit residents regularly, as required.
• Make sure that residents are well nourished.

This information was based off data reported by CMS as of 7/29/10.

These unbelievable violations from simple things like keeping residents nourished to ensuring proper medication dosage and type. These violations alone can cause serious harm and even death. There are many signs to look for in nursing home abuse and neglect. The videos below answer some of the most commonly asked questions on elder abuse.

Videos Answer Questions About Elder Abuse

• Is Elder Abuse a Big Problem?
• What Are the Clues to Nursing Home Abuse?
• Why Do People File Nursing Home Abuse Claims?

Citations are issued by the Department of Heath Services (DHS) during the annual certification visit.

Citations come in several classes depending on their severity. The state average is a little less than one per facility per year, but ideally, a facility should not have any citations.

• Class AA: The most serious violation, AA citations are issued when a resident death has occurred in such a way that it has been directly and officially attributed to the responsibility of the facility, and carry fines of $25,000 to $100,000.
• Class A: class A citations are issued when violations present imminent danger to patients or the substantial probability of death or serious harm, and carry fines from $2,000 to $20,000.
• Class B: class B citations carry fines from $100 to $1000 and are issued for violations which have a direct or immediate relationship to health, safety, or security, but do not qualify as A or AA citations.

This information should not be used as the sole measure of quality of care in a nursing home. It is important to visit potential facilities and evaluate it yourself.

Abuse in retirement and nursing homes can be categorized either as neglect or intentional harm. When neglect is the issue, a patient may not be given sufficient food or nutrition, the right medication or dose, or proper medical equipment or living commodities. Failure to pay attention to these aspects in a senior's care can cause serious disease and death ranging from bed sores to malnutrition, overdose, and even gangrene. Look at the signs, and call a professional if you are suspect of abuse and wish to get compensated for suffering and medical costs.

Elder abuse and retirement home violations are serious offenses. For more information, call the specialists at Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation to let you know your options and answer all your questions. We are here to help and you shouldn't pay a dime to get the compensation and help you deserve.

If you feel you've been the victim of nursing home abuse, please call us to discuss your options: 949-203-3814.