The covid-19 deaths of a husband and wife who died two days apart in an Albion nursing home has set the stage for what’s believed to be among the first lawsuits challenging the controversial pandemic immunity the stat granted….
Category: Nursing Home Neglect/Abuse
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is engulfed in scandals relating to sexual harassment and his administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in nursing homes.
But while a critical state report found Cuomo’s administration “undercounted” thousands of nursing home deaths, State Attorney General Letitia James also found blame with nursing home owners.
“Empty beds cost the facility money,” said Steve Bailey, a nurse at a Buffalo nursing home. “My experience is a facility will do almost anything to avoid empty beds.”
When a dementia resident at a troubled Delaware Avenue nursing home escaped through a third-story window and fell 34 feet, his dying request was that someone hold his hand, a wrongful death lawsuit against the facility states.
William L. Strasner, 87, had been trying for weeks to flee from Emerald South Nursing and Rehabilitation Center by removing bolts that prevented the window in his room from opening more than 6 inches. He succeeded in the early morning hours of June 4, 2018, climbing out using a rope he had made from shirts and pants. Read More….
An $85,925 fine against Safire Rehabilitation of Southtowns was the fifth-largest federal fine imposed on a nursing home in New York State in the last three years.
State Department of Health inspectors in May 2016 found that a licensed practical nurse at the Buffalo nursing home failed to disinfect a shared blood glucose meter when testing up to 20 residents, including two who had known communicable bloodborne diseases.
Other LPNs who cleaned glucose meters at the Dorrance Avenue facility were not using the proper cleaning agents, “germicidal or bleach wipes,” but instead using alcohol swabs, according to the Health Department. Read more…
It was 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21st when Harold Perryman of Shortsville called Elm Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Canandaigua.
Each morning he would call-in to wish his wife Beatrice, “Bea” good morning as she would start her own day – but that didn’t happen on this particular occasion.
Instead of hearing her voice, the phone kept ringing. It rang. It rang. It rang, and no answer. His daily routine had been disrupted.
That had never happened before out of all the times he contacted his beloved Bea while at Elm Manor.
As soon as the phoneline dropped, he immediately called back at 7:35 a.m. only to find-that his wife passed, according to the nurses’ station. Read more…
Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your elderly loved one. It can be difficult, though, to think of activities that both of you can enjoy.
Even if your family member cannot leave their home, there are a variety of festive ideas that you can bring to them. Daily Caring lists some of these activities, including:
- Create a festive environment using decorations that you can make together
- Create Valentine’s Day cards to share with family and friends
- Make festive homemade treats
- Watch a classic romantic movie
Making the most out of Valentine’s Day will show your elderly loved one just how important they are. It doesn’t have to be about romance — it can be the perfect occasion to show family and friends appreciation and love.
Heart disease can become a major health threat as you age. Although the risks for heart disease are increased in seniors, there are many preventative measures that can be taken to lower these risks.
In addition to knowing the symptoms, such as irregular heartbeat and unusual pain in the back and shoulders, Everyday Health lists seven steps to heart disease prevention, including:
- Getting enough exercise
- Watching your blood pressure and cholesterol
- Reducing alcohol intake
- Watching your weight
Maintaining a healthy heart as you age does require work, and may even call for changing daily habits. However, making efforts towards living a healthy lifestyle will lower the risks for heart disease, and any other health risks that come with age.
During the cold winter months, it can be hard to stay active. It is important, though, to find activities that keep the body and mind in motion, especially as you age.
While you might not think there are many activities that could be stimulating or exciting for senior citizens, there are actually many fun hobbies that appeal to those of all ages. According to the National Council for Aging Care, some of these activities include:
- Indoor swimming
- Starting or joining a book club
- Starting an indoor garden
- Learning to play a musical instrument
There are many options for staying active during the winter that do not have an age limit. Finding an activity that takes your mind off the cold and motivates you to stay healthy during the winter will help in maintaining a healthy lifestyle all year round.
Between the cold temperatures and difficult weather, the winter season can be stressful for many people. One group who is particularly affected, though, is the elderly.
During winter months, seniors can be much more susceptible to a range of injuries and illnesses. To help with this safety issue, Care.com broke down some helpful tips for preventing common winter dangers seniors face.
7 winter safety tips
- Wear shoes with good traction
- Dress for warmth
- Keep in contact with family
- Check your car for winter
- Prepare for power outages
- Eat a varied diet
- Replace carbon monoxide batteries
Struggling getting your aging parents to listen? You’re not alone.
According to the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging and the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine out of Penn State University, 77 percent of adult children believe their parents are stubborn about taking their advice or getting help with daily problems.
Some adult children are finding that their parents don’t always know best when it comes to their diet, driving, housing, medication and more. To help you learn more about what to do when your aging parents aren’t listening to you, A Place For Mom broken down eight expert tips.
What to Do If Your Aging Parents Won’t Listen
- Accept the situation.
- Blame it on the kids (or the grandkids).
- Decide how important the matter is.
- Don’t beat yourself up.
- Find an outside outlet for your feelings.
- Think ahead for milestones.
- Treat them like the adults they are.
- Try to understand the motivation behind their behavior.
‘Tis the season for family gatherings and shared dishes. While the majority of us don’t have to worry about the food we’re eating, elderly people have to be a little bit more cautious.
As we get older, our immune systems weaken, making it harder to fight off bacteria and serious illness. Stomach acids decrease (which controls bacteria) and kidneys weaken (which also filter out bacteria). Once a senior contracts a food-borne illness, it can be difficult to treat and they can reoccur.
Worried about your loved one this holiday season? Follow these ten basic guidelines from Caring.com to preventing food-borne illnesses.
10 Food Guidelines for the Elderly
- Check your dishes with a good food thermometer
- Always reheat leftovers to 165° Fahrenheit.
- Don’t eat foods with mayonnaise that’ve been left out more than two hours.
- Cook meat, eggs and fish to proper temperatures.
- Store food at the proper temperature.
- Carefully wash hands before, during and after meal preparation.
- Keep raw meats separate from ready-to-eat foods to avoid cross contamination.
- Thaw foods in the refrigerator, under cold water or in the microwave right before cooking.
- Pay attention the food dates and refrigerate perishable foods right when you get home.
- Avoid risky foods such as undercooked meats, unpasteurized dairy products or raw eggs.
When you’re caring for a loved one, the focus is always on that person’s needs. That means they’re probably giving up on their own pursuits (like school, work, friends and other personal freedoms).
While we believe caregivers are true unsung heros, we also know that they need to take a break every now and then if they want. Hitting pause is an essential way to replenish your mind, body and soul.
That’s why U.S. News broke down these 14 ways caregivers can care for themselves.
