Ashton Place Health and Rehabilitation, a Midtown nursing home with a history of abused and neglected residents, proved to be a hotbed of even more controversy in mid-October after a resident at the facility was found lying in a pile of his excretion while also dealing with an open leg wound that became a home for maggots. He was taken to a hospital and later passed away.
The incident, which unfortunately is not the only one of its kind, caught the attention of both medical examiners and the Memphis Police. In certain instances, victims reached out to lawyers as well, including Jehl Law Group, where we currently have pending cases against the Rehabilitation Center.
Other allegations brought against the nursing home included a patient who had pressure sores, a patient who fell multiple times and died, and a complaint of a sexual assault.
Another suit was brought against the facility around the same time mid-October after one resident passed away at a hospital from anoxic brain damage, cardiac arrest and hypoglycemia, which his daughter claims were the byproducts of Ashton Place staff never feeding him.
Here at Jehl Law Group, all too often we are aware of the mistreatment of the elderly, the short-staffed nursing homes that neglect residents and the physical and emotional trauma such incidences can have on a family.
Suspecting a loved one is being neglected or abused is a difficult experience that can leave the injured party and their families feeling vulnerable. At Jehl Law Group, we are committed to helping and believe such problems should be reported.
If you are unsure if your loved one is being abused or neglected, there are steps that can be taken to help identify and address nursing home abuse.
Ask Questions
Sometimes, sings of abuse such as bruises, dehydration, unusual anxiety, urinary tract infections and broken bones can be mistaken as signs of aging. If any atypical skin marks appear or there is a marked change in behavior, address these issues with your loved one, and ask the facility questions. Requiring thorough answers and explanations from your loved one’s caregivers is a right.
Visit Often
It’s not always possible to visit an elderly family member with frequency due to distance or other restrictions. However, if the situation allows, visiting the nursing home frequently allows you to keep a close eye on the situation, notice subtle differences in appearance or behavior and question or report suspicious activity.
Reporting Abuse
Notifying medical personnel on your loved one’s immediate healthcare team can be a good place to start if the caregivers are not involved in the abuse. This may include social workers, doctors or staff members that have been directly working with you or your family member.
Alerting the correct government officials is another important step to confronting abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) by the Administration of Aging (AoA) has a website that can direct you to state-specific authorities who can help.
Some families move forward and hire attorneys who are well-versed in nursing home abuse and neglect cases to assist in the process.
Here at Jehl Law Group, we are committed to working alongside you every step of the way. If your loved one is suffering and you are looking for assistance, call us for a free consultation at (901) 322-4232.