Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Blog

The California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is the state program responsible to investigate and resolve complaints made by individuals (or their representatives) residing in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. Last week, when the California budget was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, he cut state funding for the ombudsman program.

The decision has not gone over well with elder care advocates. The governor's cuts removes roughly 15% of the budget for the program, which translates into a loss of 1.25 of every 3.7 positions.

To contact your local ombudsman's office call the appropriate telephone number in the geographical area the incident leading to the complaint occurred.

Los Angeles
Region I Santa Monica (310) 899-1483
Region II Los Angeles (213) 617-8957
Region III Reseda (818) 757-1580
Region IV Pasadena (626) 793-3510
Region V Lakewood (562) 925-2346
Region VI San Dimas (909) 394-0416
Region VII Lancaster (661) 945-5563
Region VIII Burbank (818) 563-1957

Orange (714) 479-0107, (800) 300-6222
Riverside (951) 686-4402, (800) 464-1123
San Bernardino (909) 891-3928, (866) 229-0284
San Diego (858) 560-2507, (800) 640-4661

Walton Barber LLP represents people who have been victimized by elder abuse, elder neglect, mistreatment, and nursing malpractice. Cases are accepted in the counties of San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Imperial.

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Posted In: California Department of Public Health , Los Angeles Nursing Home , Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect , Orange County Nursing Home , Riverside Nursing Home , San Bernardino Nursing Home , San Diego Nursing Home

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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.

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Posted In: CANHR , California Department of Public Health , Los Angeles Nursing Home , Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect , Orange County Nursing Home , Riverside Nursing Home , San Bernardino Nursing Home , San Diego Nursing Home

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We are frequently asked how nursing home neglect or abuse can be prevented. There is no magic answer, but there are things one can do to lessen the odds that a loved one will be subject to physical neglect, financial abuse, or suffer the decline in health caused by poor care. The California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform have published a guide for preventing abuse in long-term care facilities. How does one increase the odds there will be no abuse or neglect?

1. Be very supportive of the transfer to a nursing home. Under most circumstances, the initial entrance to a nursing facility will engender feelings of loss or abandonment. Visit frequently to help with the adjustment.

2. Make the most of visits. Visit frequently, and at different times. Also visit during meal time. This will give you a more complete picture of care and the performance of staff.

3. Get to know the staff. Building personal relationships with the caregivers can be an excellent way to ensure good care.

4. Participate in care planning meeting. No one knows your family member better than you. The care plan meeting will give you an opportunity to alter the course of treatment to meet the needs of your loved one.

5. Be an advocate! Do not be afraid to advocate for the rights of your loved one. All residents have basic rights (click here) and you need to fight for them without fear of retaliation.

Don’t try to do this all alone. Enlist other family members and friends to help, and communicate often. Most nursing homes can provide good care; it’s just a matter of making it happen.

The law firm of Walton Barber LLP is based in Southern California, and represents individuals impacted by neglect and abuse in the nursing home and residential care setting. Cases are accepted in all Southern California counties.

Posted by Walton Barber | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: CANHR , Elder Abuse , Los Angeles Nursing Home , Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect , Orange County Nursing Home , Riverside Nursing Home , San Bernardino Nursing Home , San Diego Nursing Home

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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.

Posted by Walton Barber | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: CANHR , California Department of Public Health , Los Angeles Nursing Home , Orange County Nursing Home , Riverside Nursing Home , San Bernardino Nursing Home

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