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Blog 
Nursing Home Abuse
- Is the multistate nursing compact putting our Virginia elders at risk?
- Virginia nursing home supervisor refuses to take blame for abuse
- Beware sweet-talking financial abusers targeting elders in Virginia
- Eye Opening Facts about Virginia Elder Abuse & Neglect
- Questions for suspected cases of Virginia elder abuse / neglect
Firm News
Record $677 Million Nursing Home Abuse Verdict
Posted on 8/29/2010
Virginia Nursing Home Administrator embroiled in abuse complaints
Posted on 7/31/2010
More elder abuse scams target vulnerable Virginia citizens
Posted on 7/31/2010
This Memorial Day, Focus on Abuse of Veterans in Nursing Homes
Posted on 5/31/2010
Virginia Beach nursing home with violations will retain govn’t funding
Posted on 4/29/2010
Virginia Beach nursing home may lose Medicare and Medicaid funding
Posted on 3/31/2010
Jury awards senior $7.75 million in nursing home abuse lawsuit
Posted on 2/27/2010
Kickbacks lead to nursing home residents being prescribed drugs
Posted on 1/29/2010
Virginia Beach nurse implicated in nursing home identity theft
Posted on 1/29/2010
Cases of nursing home abuse and neglect may go up over the holiday season
Posted on 11/30/2009
Firm Library
Nursing Home Abuse
- How to File a Nursing Home Abuse Complaint in Virginia
- Suspect financial elder abuse? Your local Virginia bank teller could be an unexpected ally
- Nursing home abuse and neglect in Virginia – a bigger problem than anyone realizes
- Virginia Elder Abuse: It Can Happen Anywhere
- Fighting for the Rights of Nursing Home Residents: the Healthcare Bill Targets Elder Abuse
Elder Abuse is a Crime
As a family member of an elderly adult, you want to make sure that he or she is protected from harm. If your loved one is living in a nursing home, you may have concerns about the possibility of abuse or neglect within the facility.
Elder abuse can be defined as "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person." Elder abuse can occur at a Virginia nursing home and it is important to understand the laws that protect your elderly family member.
The majority of physical, sexual and financial abuse cases are considered crimes, as these acts violate statutes that prohibit crimes such as assault, battery, rape, theft and so on. In some circumstances, emotional abuse is also considered to be a crime and could be subject to prosecution.
The number of nursing home abuse cases being prosecuted each year has continued to increase, which is believed to be due to the diligent work of Medicaid Fraud Units. Virginia statutes, adult protective laws and federal statutes protect the elderly from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The following is a description of the laws and agencies created to protect the elderly.
Federal Older Americans Act: This law defines elder abuse and authorizes the use of federal funds for the National Center of Elder Abuse and for certain elder abuse awareness and coordination activities. However, it does not provide funding for adult protective services or shelters for abused elderly adults.
Adult Protective Services Laws: In Virginia, Adult Protective Services is charged with investigating reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults aged 60 and over. This state agency provides services when elderly adults are in need of protective services. According to Adult Protective Services’ website, the goal of the agency “is to protect a vulnerable adult's life, health, and property without a loss of liberty.”
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program: The Long Term Care Ombudsman acts as an advocate for individuals living in long term care facilities who experience abuse, violations of their rights or other problems. Complaints against nursing home facilities are generally handled by the Long Term Care Ombudsman. The Long Term Care Ombudsman program also “represents the interests of long-term care consumers before state and federal government agencies and the General Assembly.”
If you believe your family member has been the victim of abuse in a nursing home or other assisted living facility, contact the experienced Virginia nursing home abuse attorneys at Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C. at (757) 622-7740 or (800) 690-0235.
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Michael S. Weisberg, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
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