California Elder Care Center Chain Cited for Abuse Again, Reports Palo Alto Elder Law Attorney

Palo Alto, CA (Law Firm Newswire) May 9, 2013 – Nursing home abuse is a growing concern for elder care advocates.

A California-based elder care center company, which had previously been sued for abuse by a collection of plaintiffs, is again under scrutiny. The elder care centers under the umbrella of Skilled Healthcare Group Inc. Skilled Healthcare has agreed to spend new funds to hire more staff and will be closely watched for the next 24-months by the attorney general’s office.

“The California facility charged with neglect and abuse was supposed to care for their vulnerable elderly patients,” said Palo Alto elder law attorney Michael Gilfix.

The need for senior care as the U.S. population grows, has highlighted how many facilities are ill-equipped to meet the growing demand. The California State’s Attorney General (AG) launched an elder abuse lawsuit against the company in the wake of reports filed by state inspectors that alleged residents of numerous care homes showed signs of dehydration, malnutrition, and over-medication. According to the AG’s office, at least 209 issues were found during an inspection of five of Skilled Healthcare’s facilities between 2008 and 2012. Most concerning, the alleged negligent and abusive practices were happening while Skilled Healthcare was attempting to defuse a class-action lawsuit, which also alleged strikingly similar abuse allegations.

The latest lawsuit against Skilled Healthcare cites failures in meeting minimum staff levels in care facilitates, as well as repeated failures in meeting basic medical needs and preventing basic medical complications for residents.

This latest abuse lawsuit against Skilled Healthcare was settled out of court. Skilled Healthcare has reportedly agreed to step up the supervision and staffing levels for the five centers which garnered the complaints, as part of a two-year plan. Reports will also be filed with the attorney general’s office from an independent monitor who will perform unannounced site visits for the next two years. Skilled Healthcare has not admitted to any wrongdoing.

The facilities which garnered the complaints include five of the 20 facilities operated by Skilled Healthcare: Anaheim Terrace Care Center in Anaheim, Alta Care Center in Garden Grove, Fountain Care Center in Orange, St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Fullerton, and Carehouse Healthcare Center in Santa Ana.

To learn more, visit Gilfix & La Poll Associates LLP at http://www.gilfix.com/.

Gilfix & La Poll Associates LLP
2300 Geng Rd., Suite 200
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Telephone: (650) 493-8070
http://www.gilfix.com/

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