Volume 3, Issue 3                     The Traut Firm eNewsletter              June 2008            www.trautfirm.com

ELDERCARE - Assisted Living Residences

One of the tasks of family life is helping an elder family member find an assisted-living residence to meet daily living, health care, nutritional, and social needs. Seniors’ residences vary in both offerings and qualifications, so it’s important for a family to consider at least several residences before making a selection.

Here are some screening guides:

• Ask for records of licensure, quality assurance planning, association memberships, inspection certificates, and continuing education for staff.
   

• Identify facility assistance available to memory-impaired or disabled residents.
   

• Inquire about physician and hospital availability.
   

• Obtain a listing of all services and activities, from medication assistance and laundry to social activities and group outings.
   

• Be sure to understand all costs and fees.

When care fails…

Assisted-living centers that conduct health-care testing have a particularly important responsibility to residents. After an 84-year-old was placed on cardiac medication, he underwent testing to evaluate results. Although the test lab faxed notice of abnormal value readings to residence medical staff, they waited three days to notify the resident’s physician.  In the meantime, the resident became ill and died of cardiac arrest. A successful negligence suit was prosecuted against the facility by family members, who belatedly discovered during the course of the lawsuit that the facility had a long history of licensure problems, legal claims, and related problems.

If you or someone you know needs legal advice regarding an assisted living situation, call The Traut Firm at (714) 835-7000. We will be happy to discuss the matter with you.

The Traut Firm
"When You Mean Business"