Nursing homes around Indiana are often placed in difficult positions as they struggle to find enough staff to handle the number of patients within their facilities. This issue has led to confidential interviews with state health inspectors, some of which have outlined clear lies and other violations in order to protect staff. In fact, over 43% of falls that occur within a nursing home go unreported. The following includes a few examples of misconduct by a variety of nursing homes across the state.
False accounts
During the month of April within the Countryside Meadows nursing home in Avon, an elderly woman fell off her wheelchair and broke her neck. A nurse who was passing out medication simply picked up the woman and placed her in bed. The nurse falsified reports about the situation, and nothing was done until her family noticed her bruises and demanded that she be taken to a hospital. State inspectors later cited the facility and accused it of nursing home neglect.
Immediate danger
An incident involving the Aperion Care Kokomo facility was reported by state inspectors to have placed patients in immediate danger. The danger came from the nursing home using worn-out mechanical lifts, which were deemed unsafe by an expert. However, the nursing home lied and stated that the problems were only cosmetic.
Nursing home administrators hides from family
According to one family, a nursing home owned by HHC failed to report an accident involving their family member. An elderly woman was pushed by another patient and later died from her injuries. The administrators not only lied to the family but also went as far as hiding within their offices to avoid further questioning.
If you suspect that your loved one’s nursing home is not following state laws, it may be helpful to seek legal advice regarding your options. This may provide your family member with a voice and prevent further harm to the patients who reside within that nursing home as well.
