Hidden video surveillance

The indictments follow the guilty plea of a third nursing aide, Jaclyn Dawn VanWinkle. Van Winkle was sentenced to 12 months in jail but will serve two years probation for agreeing to testify against other cases of criminal conduct at the nursing home.

Family members of Madison Manor resident Armeda Thomas became suspicious about her care and placed a hidden video camera in her room. The videotape showed a total of nine nursing assistants physically abusing the woman and failing to clean or feed her. Thomas’ family members moved her out of the home, and she later died from complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Extendicare, the Wisconsin-based company that owns Madison Manor, fired the nine nursing assistants, made staff changes, and set up a retraining program for staff as a result of the videotape. “We do not condone this kind of behavior,” said a spokesperson for Extendicare.

Hidden video surveillance has led to convictions of numerous nursing home residents since the practice has been approved in select states. New York has used the practice throughout the state, which has led to the conviction of more than 25 nursing home employees.

SOURCE: Nursing Home Abuse › Hidden cameras lead to nursing home abuse charges

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After discovering numerous bruises all over her body, the family of resident Armeda Thomas hid a video camera in her Madison Manor room. For three weeks they recorded nursing assistants physically abusing and taunting Thomas and failing to feed and clean her, according to state records. In one instance, a nursing aide was seen dancing in front of Thomas while another staff member held the resident’s arms.

The video tape showed several nursing assistants partaking in the physical abuse of Thomas. Extendicare, the Wisconsin company that owns Madison Manor, fired nine nursing assistants, made staff changes, and set up a retraining program for staff as a result of the videotape. “We do not condone this kind of behavior,” said a spokesperson for Extendicare in the report.

A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office says the investigation is ongoing and additional charges could result. The home also was cited by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, threatening its Medicaid certification. The state later issued a statement saying that the nursing home’s management had taken steps to correct the problems.

Thomas’ family members moved Thomas home after seeing the tapes. She died last month after complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

SOURCE: Nursing Home Abuse › Nursing home aide shocked by wanton neglect charge

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Nursing homes receive higher reimbursements for some medical conditions. The suit alleges that by admitting residents with these conditions the homes were taking advantage of higher profits without regard to whether sufficient care could be provided.

According to the news story, the lawsuit seeks restitution of up to 40 percent of fees paid by private-pay residents, a change in some policies, and a court-appointed monitor to oversee compliance.

Extendicare has eight facilities in Minnesota, some of which have been consistently cited by state inspectors for violations far above the state’s average.

The lawsuit was filed by Laura Bernstein, a resident of one of the homes, on behalf of about 1,400 residents from other homes. Named in the lawsuit are Texas Terrace, Golden Valley Rehabilitation and Care Center, Health & Rehabilitation Center of New Brighton, Richfield Health Center, Robbinsdale Rehabilitation and Care Center, Rose of Sharon Manor in Roseville, Park Health and Rehabilitation Center in St. Louis Park and Galtier Health Center in St. Paul. Two facilities that have since been closed also are named in the suit – Lexington Health & Rehabilitation Center in St. Paul and Whittier Health Center in Minneapolis.

SOURCE: Nursing Home Abuse › 1,400 nursing home residents sue Minnesota chain

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