(Jacksonville,
FL) – June 17th, 2016 – One of the most disturbing news
coming out of the Sunshine State is the significant increase in elderly abuse.
The Florida Department of Children and Families, there were 2,525 cases
registered in 2015, a 74% increase since 2011, according to a report by orlandosentinel.com.
In addition, statistics from the Office
of State Courts Administrator indicate that over the past 5 years as many as
800 people have been charged with elderly abuse and neglect in the state. Of
these, there have been over 370 convictions and/or sentencing.
A 2004 study conducted by the University
of Kentucky for the National Center on Elder Abuse indicates that almost 90% of
abuse and neglect cases occurred at home. Unfortunately, about one third of the
perpetrators were the victims’ children.
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| Nursing home abuse lawyers in Jacksonville, FL know that elderly people should be treated with respect. |
Women in their 40s made up 53% of
abusers. Nursing home abuse lawyers in Jacksonville, FL confirm that this is
evident from the increasing number of cases they have witnessed over the past
decade or more. What is even more shocking is the fact that many of the victims
prefer to remain at home rather than a nursing facility because they feared
they would be abandoned and treated worse.
That is incredible! If you know anyone
who may have been abused at a nursing home you need to click right here Nursing-Home-Abuse.USAttorneys. Certain behaviors cannot be tolerated in society and
this is one of them.
Nursing
Home Facility Under Investigation for Abuse
Florida nursing home abuse attorneys
point out one of the most recent cases of abuse
by nursing home staff of GraceWood Rehabilitation. The Florida
nursing home was under investigation after a male resident in a wheelchair died
after being left in the sun for a prolonged period. Wilbert Henry Moten, 65,
suffered blisters, dehydration, and second degree burns after being exposed to
temperatures in the 90s. Pinellas Park police confirm that the nursing home
resident died of heart failure later, following which an autopsy was conducted.
An investigation into Moten’s death was
ordered by the Department of Children and Families while the Agency for Health
Care Administration also conducted a separate investigation. Moten, who had
been in the facility for a long time, had reportedly suffered mobility issues
and psychiatric problems.
He did not have any living relatives.
Fernando Gutierrez, who was appointed as his guardian questioned how the victim
got outside since he was in a wheelchair. He later removed 10 of his other
patients out of the facility.
Nursing home abuse lawyers in
Jacksonville, FL point out that the facility was on the state’s watch list
following an inspection in November 2013. It was found that the facility did
not meet minimum standards, as reported by news.com.au.
State records indicate that since late
2012 GraceWood was fined thrice. It was also fined $2,500 by the state agency
for improper use of mechanical wheelchair lifts. In 2014, a 93 year old
resident was killed after falling from a wheelchair lift while another 80 year
old suffering head injuries in a similar accident.
The bottom line is, don’t let your loved
ones who may be in the care of a nursing facility suffer. If you suspect someone is a victim of elderly abuse
and neglect, make sure to reach out to a nursing home abuse lawyer
in Florida to hold those abusers accountable for their actions.
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