Long Beach Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Abuse Attorney
If you have a loved one living in an RCFE in Long Beach and suspect they’re being neglected or abused, you need to contact an experienced and compassionate residential care facilities for the elderly abuse lawyer. Since 2002, attorney Travis Siegel of Travis Siegel has made it his mission to fight against elder abuse and neglect. Call 562-414-5294 for a free consultation.
Growth in Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly
As the Baby Boom generation ages, more of them are entering Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, or RCFEs. RCFEs – also referred to as assisted living facilities, retirement homes, or care homes – provide rooms, meals, supervision, and assistance to people over 60 who can’t or prefer not to live on their own.
Unlike nursing homes, RCFEs are non-medical facilities, meaning they aren’t necessarily staffed by trained medical personnel. There are currently an estimated 7,500 licensed RCFEs in the state of California. These facilities are regulated by the state’s Department of Social Services. While many of these facilities are well-run and staffed with compassionate caregivers, there are some, where elder abuse and neglect occur.
According to a study by the National Center on Elder Abuse involving interviews with 2,000 assisted care residents, 44 percent said they had suffered abuse and 95 percent said they had been neglected or seen another resident neglected.
Additional Information
If you think your elderly loved one has suffered neglect or abuse, do not wait to act. Whether the abuse occurred in a nursing home, residential care facility, or private home, our Orange County elder abuse attorneys will conduct the necessary investigations and gather the information needed to bring those responsible to justice.
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RCFEs vs. Nursing Homes
As we mentioned earlier, RCFEs are not considered medical facilities. However, nursing homes, or Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), are considered medical facilities. Here are a few other ways RCFEs and SNFs differ:
- RCFEs are licensed by the California Department of Social Services, while SNFs are licensed by the California Department of Public Health.
- SNFs must be staffed by professional nurses 24 hours a day, whereas RCFEs are not required to be staffed by nurses.
- SNFs have a required patient-to-staff ratio, RCFEs do not.
- SNF staff can dispense and administer medications, RCFE staff can only store and distribute medications to residents for self-administration.
Problems the Elderly Face in Assisted Living Facilities
Elderly people in assisted living facilities face many issues, including loneliness, boredom, neglect, and abuse. If a loved one in an RCFE is experiencing such issues, there are ways you can help. For boredom and loneliness, you can visit them often if you live nearby. If you are unable to visit often, find a facility that has regular activities for its residents. Many facilities now offer pet therapy, or actually allow pets to live at the facility.
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Pressure sores, also called bed sores and pressure ulcers, are a common sign of nursing home abuse or neglect. They are caused by unrelieved pressure on the skin. Bed sores typically appear near areas where the bones are close to the skin: the hips, back, elbows, and ankles. When pressure sores first show up, they’re just skin irritation. With prompt treatment, they typically have no lasting effects. When not treated quickly, however, later stages can result in serious damage not only to the skin but also to muscle and bone.
The greatest tragedy of pressure sores is that they are relatively easy to prevent. Regular movement of a person restricted to a bed or wheelchair can help avoid pressure sores. Someone who must remain in bed should be moved about every two hours. The use of a pressure-reducing mattress can help. A proper diet, cleanliness, and daily exercise all help prevent pressure sores and eliminate the serious harm that can accompany them.
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The answer is no. Siegel Law takes all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that our clients owe the firm nothing for expenses unless they are awarded a monetary settlement or we receive a favorable verdict at trial. All expenses will be deducted from the settlement or jury verdict. Not a dime will be taken out of your pocket.
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If you suspect that abuse has occurred, know that you are not alone and do not have to suffer in silence. Trust yourself and follow your instincts. First of all, contact the California Department of Social Services, Adult Protective Services (APS). This is a government agency specifically charged with licensing, certifying, and overseeing nursing homes and similar facilities. They are in charge of investigating reports of abuse, so making a report to them is the best place to start.
Once you have contacted them, call us at Siegel Law. We have years of experience handling these kinds of cases and will sit down with you for free and help you understand your options going forward. It is easy to become overwhelmed in this situation, which is why our Orange County elder abuse lawyers offer guidance to those who need it.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Abuse and neglect are harder issues to deal with, but they are very important to address. If you feel that your loved one is in immediate danger, call 911 to notify local police and get the victim the medical care he or she needs. This will also help document the extent of the abuse.
If the danger is not immediate but you suspect the abuse or neglect is taking place, call Adult Protective Services at (877) 477-3646 or (877) 4-R-SENIORS. You may also want to contact your long-term care ombudsman. It would also be a good idea to contact an experienced residential care facilities for the elderly abuse attorney. An Orange County elder abuse attorney can find out if you have grounds for a lawsuit against the facility where the abuse occurred.
Travis Siegel of Travis Siegel has spent over a decade advocating on the behalf of elderly abuse victims and their families. Contact us today to learn about your legal options.
