Four Connecticut Nursing Homes Charge with Nursing Home Abuse After Resident Dies

The Connecticut Department of Public Health fined four nursing homes in the state for serious nursing home abuse after receiving reports that one resident died, another was verbally abused, and several female residents were inappropriately touched by another resident.

The Ledge Crest Health Care Center in Kensington, CT, was fined for nursing home abuse on March 13th, when a resident died from neglected health complications. The resident reportedly had chronic constipation and was supposed to be monitored for abdominal discomfort and vomiting. Although the resident presented with vomiting and low blood pressure on March 4th, a nurse failed to report whether the staff doctor had been notified or whether additional blood pressure checks had been done. The resident was hospitalized six hours later for abdominal bleeding and sepsis, and the resident died shortly after hospitalization.

Westport Health Care Center was also fined for nursing home abuse and neglect related to a March 4th incident, in which a resident with dementia fell twice, resulting in a broken arm and hip, and a cut on the scalp. A nursing supervisor told state officials that the resident refused to wear a protective helmet, yet was still left alone in the bathroom which resulted in a fall in December. The resident fell again in January. The Department of Public Health found that the center failed to document preventative measures to stop the resident from falling again.

Aaron Manor Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Chester was fined on March 24th for nursing home abuse for two incidents of sexual abuse. In one incident, a male resident with dementia repeatedly touched and kissed female residents, according to records. During April and August 2013, the resident reportedly rubbed the shoulders, neck, chest, leg, or backside of several female residents, kissed one female resident on the cheek, and one on the mouth. The nursing home reportedly arranged, after each incident, to monitor the patient every 15 minutes, ordered psychiatric evaluations, or changed the resident’s medication, including drugs to lower the resident’s testosterone or sexual function, per the nursing home’s records. An evaluation determined that the resident’s behavior was not sexual in nature. However, the last incident, in August 2013, involved the resident attempting to unbutton a woman’s blouse, which involved intervention from several staff members.

Aaron Manor was also fined for a second incident, in which a resident was found slumped in her wheelchair after severely cutting her leg on an unlatched part of the leg rest. The resident received a new wheelchair and all staff members were reportedly trained to keep the leg rests locked in place to prevent a similar incident.

Noble Horizons in Salisbury was fined for a nursing home abuse incident in February 2013 in which a nurse verbally abused a resident, and left the resident alone and naked in the shower. The resident, who has Alzheimer’s Disease, was not injured, but was reportedly “alone and weepy,” and the resident could have been injured. The nursing home fired the nurse after an internal investigation determined that abuse and neglect had taken place.

The Strom Law Defends Victims of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

If your loved one has physically suffered, or died wrongfully, due to neglect or abuse in a nursing home, you may have a nursing home abuse case. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm understand the sensitive nature of elder abuse cases, and will treat you with respect and compassion. It is important to fight elder abuse so you, your family, and others no longer suffer because of criminal behavior. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help.803.252.4800