Recent census data reflects that the U.S. has the greatest number and proportion of people 65 and older in decennial history. This Boomer Generation effect will continue for decades, which will result in many seeking care in nursing home facilities. In fact, in 2014, there were approximately 1.4 million nursing home residents in the country. This raises the specter of widespread elder abuse as many elderly people seeking care can be quite vulnerable to abuse from staff or other residents in a nursing home setting.

The National Center for elder abuse identifies seven types of abuse that the elderly commonly suffer: physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, neglect, self-neglect, abandonment and financial abuse. Family members should be aware of the different kinds of abuse that can take place and be alert to the signs when their family member is in the care of a nursing home facility.

Physical abuse may include actions such as slapping, shoving and kicking or may also include using drugs inappropriately or using physical restraints. Signs include bruising or welts, fractures, cuts, or other injuries to the body. Other signs may include behavioral or personality changes or an elderly person reporting abuse.

Neglect of the elderly in a nursing home setting boils down to refusing or failing to provide the elderly with the care they need. It may include refusing or failing to provide water, food, medicine, hygiene and personal safety. Symptoms and signs may include unsanitary conditions, poor hygiene, dehydration, malnutrition and untreated health problems, such as bed sores.

Financial abuse is defined as illegally or improperly using an elderly person’s assets or other property. In a nursing home setting, away from the eyes of a family member, financial abuse takes on many forms. Symptoms or signs of financial exploitation to look for include:

• A caregivers name showing up elderly person’s bank card or the transferring of assets to another name
• Using an elderly persons ATM card without permission
• Large sums of money being withdrawn from a bank account
• Changes to wills or other legal documents
• Forged signatures on financial documents
• Providing unnecessary services

Contact an Iowa Nursing Home Elder Abuse Lawyer Attorney for Help

Nowadays, many families have a family member cared for in a nursing home setting. It is good practice to be alert to signs of abuse or neglect to protect your loved one from harm. If your family member is injured or abused in an Iowa nursing home, contact the Iowa nursing home elder abuse lawyers at the law offices of John T. Hemminger at 515-283-2116 for immediate assistance.

St. Patrick’s Day is upon us and many festivities are planned in the metro area. Not only will there be a number of  party goers, including students returning from spring break, but law enforcement plans to be out in full force to put the kibosh on drunk driving and drunk driving car accidents.

According to a Des Moines Police Department spokesmen, there has been a spike in drunken driving crashes on St. Patrick’s Day and, with 39 percent of fatality car accidents caused by drunk driving in the state, law enforcement hopes that those celebrating St Patrick’s Day will find a designated driver or take a cab to avoid problems.

Despite their best efforts, Iowa law enforcement is well aware that some drunk drivers will not be deterred, however. In fact, some drivers are arrested repeatedly for being drunk behind the wheel, some even after being involved in a fatality accident. It’s a constant struggle costing lives.

In fact, since 2005 more than 11,000 people were charged with intoxicated driving subsequent offense in the state. Over 200 drunk drivers were charged with vehicular homicide, some who had earlier DUI convictions. Of those responsible for causing the death of another while driving drunk, 13 drove after being charged or convicted.

“Why Iowa can’t seem to keep drunk drivers from driving again?” is a question that troubles many in the state, particularly those who have lost someone to a drunk driving accident. Many would like to see Iowa require chronic offenders barred from driving for life, particularly those whose actions have resulted in an injury or fatality car accident.  Clearly measures are needed to keep 1st offenders from graduating to 2nd, 3rd or aggravated DUI offenses to keep Iowa roads safe for everyone.

If you or a family member has been injured in an Iowa drunk driving accident, contact the personal injury law offices of John T. Hemminger for help today at 515-283-2116.

Following recent news reports regarding various incidences of nursing home abuse and neglect across the country, recommendations have followed instructing families to be alert to signs of abuse or neglect such as weight loss, unexplained injuries or behavioral changes to name a few.

A family in Michigan took that advice to heart noticing that their 89-year-old father had in fact been losing weight and had cuts and bruises on his body since becoming a resident at an area nursing home. Concerned, the family decided to see for themselves whether anything was amiss and installed a camera in their father’s room where their worst fears were confirmed – their dad was indeed a victim of nursing home abuse and neglect.

Unfortunately, stories of nursing home abuse and neglect are all too common. In this case, the family’s attention to their dad’s deteriorating condition likely saved him from further harm. It certainly underscores the importance of being observant to the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect to protect elderly family members.

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

Abuse can be physical, emotional, financial or sexual. More obvious signs include unusual bruising or bleeding, open wounds, bed sores or cuts, burns and abrasions, weight loss, and poor hygiene. Less obvious signs may include listlessness, strange behaviors, physical or emotional withdrawal, disappearance of personal items or sudden and unusual financial transactions.

Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect Lawyer

Family members who feel as if something is off should follow up on their concerns to rule out abuse or neglect and seek legal help if a family member is injured as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect. If your family member has been injured in an Iowa nursing home, contact the Des Moines, Iowa nursing home abuse lawyers of John T. Hemminger for help today at 515-283-2116.

Source: NBC26, “Family sues Michigan nursing home over elder abuse that was caught on camera”, March 5, 2018