Nursing Home Abuse Georgia & Tennessee

 

The problems and reports of elder abuse in nursing homes in Georgia are growing.

Georgia has a high amount of nursing and elderly care facilities, yet problems with staffing plague the elder care industry here.

Most nursing homes use minimal wage employees to do a bulk of the daily work. This is the problem: These minimal wage nurse’s aides are expected to care for anywhere from 15 to 25 people per night in order to meet the homes expectations.

At best these aides should only care for only 7 to 10 people per night thus increasing the actual number of hours that could be spent with each resident. However studies have shown that at 3.3 hours per patient a day, staffing at Georgia nursing homes ranks 5th lowest in the nation. Nurse's aides here earn an average wage of $7.40 an hour, among the lowest in the nation. Fast-food cooks make nearly as much - $6.56 on average.

Number of Nursing Home Violations in Georgia.

There are many homes threatened with closure because of a high amount of violations. This number tripled in 2006. Because the staff is stretched so thin many aides routinely ignore residents who need help with meals, exercise, grooming and many other simple tasks.

National Chains Running the Show.

It’s a fact that 3 of every 4 nursing homes in Georgia is run by national chains. Georgia has one of the highest concentrations of for-profit-homes in the country.

Saving Money by Lowering Care.

In trying to save tax dollars, Georgia's Medicaid program each year hands out hundreds of thousands of dollars in bonus payments as an incentive for homes that spend the least. Those bonuses are paid even where government inspectors have found residents in danger. The current system offers no bonuses to homes with the best record of quality care.

Examples of Elder Abuse in Georgia Nursing Homes.

There is nothing more hideous then finding examples of abuse. In researching this data online, the author was repulsed by what was taking place in some elder care facilities.

The Savannah Home Kindred Care staff neglected to call a doctor for more then 36 hours after a resident began vomiting uncontrollably. This man died in September, a day after going to the emergency room for a broken hip, bowl obstruction, and a high white cell count. State inspection records shows that Kindred Homes was cited 80 times for harm in the past 4 years.

Beverly Enterprises in Jonesboro was issued a citation after a woman was found with numerous bedsores lying in linens soaked with urine and feces that had contaminated her wound dressings. The staff did not address the problem even when it was pointed out to them. In the past 4 years Beverly Enterprises has been cited 78 times for harming residents.

Sunbridge Healthcare in Rome was cited for reports of a resident being sexually abused and molested twice by a staff member who enclosed the bed with curtains at night in order to kiss and fondle her. Sunbridge's homes have been cited 68 times in past 4 years.

Legal Help for Victims of Nursing Home Abuse in Georgia and Tennessee.

If you or someone you know and love was the victim of nursing home abuse in Georgia or Tennessee you need to contact our dedicated and aggressive nursing home abuse lawyers today. There are a number of different laws that can overlap in these cases, so it is imperative that you seek out our lawyers in order to discover your rights and if you are owed any financial compensation for your situation. Let us get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.

Report Nursing Home Abuse Hotline Georgia.

Elder Abuse: Domestic/Community
Georgia APS Central Intake Unit: 1-888-774-0152
Within Metro Atlanta calling area: (404) 657-5250

Nursing Home Abuse/Long Term Care
Georgia Office of Regulatory Services: 1-800-878-6442
Within Metro Atlanta calling area: (404) 657-5728
Long Term Care Ombudsman: 1-888-454-5826

Report Nursing Home Abuse Hotline Tennessee.

Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-888-APS-TENN or 1-888-277-8366

Local Elder Abuse Reporting Numbers:
Knoxville (865) 594-5685
Chattanooga (423) 634-6624
Nashville (615) 532-3492
Memphis (901) 320-7220

Tennessee Abuse Registry: 1-888-310-4650 or (615) 532-5171 (in Nashville)

 

Elder Abuse Lawyer: Burke, Harvey & Frankowski, LLC

Georgia and Tennessee Nursing Home Abuse Law

Laws in Georgia and Tennessee are particularly harsh on those that take advantage of those that cannot defend themselves, and rightfully so. There are a number of laws that nursing homes must follow and oversight they must provide to ensure their employees are not abusing their power. Nursing home abuse lawyers in Georgia and Tennessee are ready to help those who have become victims due to the negligence or abuse of their caretakers.