Throughout his entire life, John Hope Franklin was an advocate for those needing a voice.  In addition to his lifelong efforts to promote racial equality, his footsteps in history show us that even as we age, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of others.  Aging never slowed down Mr. Franklin, who continued his tireless efforts to advance social good.  While this blog is designed primarily to cover topics related to nursing home care, we also believe that it should be used to showcase the extraordinary efforts made by those in the senior community.  Leaders such as Mr. Franklin, remind us that age is much more than a number – it’s also an asset.  Seniors have immense knowledge derived from experiences, from which younger generations can learn and to which they should listen.

For brief biography of John Hope Franklin, click HERE.

Mr. Carlson, author of “20 Common Nursing Home Problems—and How to Resolve Them” shares his wisdom and counsel on nursing home problems and patients’ rights. He answers questions like how laws governing assisted-living communities differ from nursing homes; can a nursing home evict a resident for being difficult; what is the biggest factor when it comes to quality of care, and are there special innovations to look for in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. The HensonFuerst Nursing Home Abuse lawyers encourage blog viewers to educate themselves on the issues raised by Eric Carlson.

Click to read the compete article published online by U.S. News & World Report.

Bailey-Boushay, the prominent Madison Valley, Washington facility renowned as the country’s first skilled nursing home designed and built for AIDS patients is facing a funding crisis that may force the closure of its outpatient program. The nursing home is also expecting budget cuts from the state this year, and the facility recently learned it would no longer be a recipient of United Way funding. The grim economy could mean the disappearance of the outpatient program, leaving the most challenged AIDS patients with few options for help. Separate from Bailey-Boushay’s nursing home, the outpatient program serves 200 HIV and AIDS patients with mental illness, addictions, a history of homelessness and other challenges. “They have histories of being on the periphery of society, in one way or another,” said Brian Knowles, the executive director of Bailey-Boushay, which is managed by the Virginia Mason Medical Center.

Click to read the entire article about Bailey-Boushay from www.seattlepi.com.

March 24, 2009

WRAL reported that a man lost his life in a recent Chapel Hill truck accident.

The man was driving his truck down the Interstate when he hit the back end of a box truck, causing it to run off the side of the road, hit a nearby guardrail, and overturn onto an embankment.

The first truck also went off the side of the road, struck the guard rail, and flipped over. The driver of the first truck died from the injuries sustained during the North Carolina truck accident.

The driver of the second truck suffered some injuries during the Chapel Hill truck accident, but his condition is unknown.

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The Chapel Hill truck accident lawyers at HensonFuerst can help if you were injured in a North Carolina accident.

A report issued by the AARP identified that a Tennessee nursing home patient received about 30 minutes of care a day. The statistic was lower than the national average, but Patrick Willard with the AARP said all the time adds up. “Once you add those hours up over a number of days, and over a number of weeks and over a number of years, you begin to see that individuals in nursing homes are losing days of care,” said Willard. The Federal Government ranked Tennessee nursing homes almost last in the country when it came to quality of care, according Nashville’s NewsCenter5, which further reported that a record number of nursing homes have had to suspend admissions to deal with serious issues.

Click to read the WTVF-TV NewsCenter5 story.

An Arizona jury last Friday awarded a landmark verdict of $11 million to the widow of a 36-year-old man with traumatic brain injury who died after ingesting foreign objects while in the care of Liberty Manor Residency, a Phoenix assisted living facility. The verdict included $2 million for the decedent, $5 million for the wife and $4 million in punitive damages. It was the largest verdict ever awarded against an assisted living facility in the United States. Autopsy results showed a number of items – including plastic bags, unopened ketchup packets, candy wrappers and paper towels – were found in the patient’s stomach and small intestines. Punitive damages are designed to punish egregious misconduct; the HensonFuerst Nursing Home Abuse lawyers believe punitive damages are often necessary to effect change.

The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), directed by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is committed to helping national, state, and local partners in the field be fully prepared to ensure that older Americans will live with dignity, integrity, independence, and without abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The NCEA is a resource for policy makers, social service and health care practitioners, the justice system, researchers, advocates, and families.

Click to view the National Center in Elder Abuse website and learn about resources available.

Six young women are accused of groping and taunting seven residents at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Albert Lea, Minnesota, or witnessing the alleged events.  The teens, according to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, attended high school together and worked together at the nursing home.  Viewers to the HensonFuerst nursing home blog who oversee the care of others are reminded that it is their right to make inquiries concerning the criminal and psychological backgrounds of all caregivers.

Click to read Warren Wolfe’s story from the Star Tribune.  WARNING:  Graphic details of elder abuse are included in this story!

The Australian Department of Health and Ageing reports that nearly 25% of males entering nursing homes in that country die within the first three months, and a third of aged care residents survive less than a year.  Men fare worst than women, with about half dying within a year, and only 12 per cent living in care for more than five years.  Poor nursing home care is not isolated to the USA, and demands should be made of watchdog groups around the globe for greater compassion in caring for our older citizens.

Click to read Ben Packham’s article in the Herald Sun.

According to Rep. Henry Waxman, D-California, “We found examples of residents being punched, choked or kicked by staff members or other residents.” Waxman’s findings include the abuse and death of Helen Love, who was attacked by a certified nurse’s assistant at a Sacramento facility.  “He choked me and went and broke my neck and broke my wrist,” said Love, who died two days after her interview. Her assailant got a year in county jail. CBS News learned and reported that three other employees at the same Sacramento facility had been convicted for abuse, which should have barred them from nursing home work.

Click to read the entire story from CBS News.