Helpful Links & Resources

On the page below you can find links that can be of use to every person at critical moments in their lives. Following an incident, it’s important to gather as much information as you can. The Internet is an increasingly important resource in this search, and the sites below are referenced regularly by those facing similiar situations as yourself. If you don’t find the answers here, you may contact us for answers to more complex questions or questions specific to your case. The initial consultation is free.

Restraints in Nursing Homes

• Restraint Free Care: Restraints are often used in nursing homes as a substitute for providing good care when facilities are inadequately staffed. This Fact Sheet from the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care describes the dangers of restraints and restraint reduction strategies.
• FDA's Guide to Bedrails: Bedrails can help a patient reposition for comfort in bed, yet they can also be dangerous and an illegal restraint. The attached link contains valuable information from the FDA on the safe and proper use of bed rails.
• New Rule on Patient Rights Limiting Restraints: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has just released new training requirements for health care workers who utilize restraints. With the new rules, health care facilities, including nursing homes, must notify family members when a patient is restrained. The new rules further require nursing homes to report the death of a patient associated with restraint use.
• Untie The Elderly: An educational and training program for providers of long term care including Nursing Homes to the elderly. The program is dedicated to the elimination of the use of physical and chemical restraints in Nursing Homes.
• Regulations Restricting the Use of Restraints in Nursing Homes: This link take you to the Virginia Department of Health's overview on the use of restraints in nursing homes. While some nursing homes argue that restraints help prevent fall injuries, the research indicates that restraints are dangerous to patients. Restraints should only be used if the nursing home complies strictly with all the federal and state regulations.

Medication Errors

• Steps to Prevent Medication Errors: This link takes you to an article with simple steps that patients and caregivers can take to prevent medication errors.
• Reducing Medication Errors in Nursing Homes: Medication errors in nursing homes are preventable. This article published by the American Medical Directors Association discusses the frequency of medication errors in nursing homes, steps that can be taken to prevent medication errors, and the serious injuries patients suffer due to medication errors in nursing homes.
• Analysis of Mortalities Associated with Medication Errors: This scholarly report found that over 2/3 of medication errors caused serious injuries and almost 10% led to a patient death.
• FDA Report - Strategies to Reduce Medication Errors: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes that medication errors are preventable. This link describes effective strategies to reduce the incidents of patient injuries and deaths due to medication errors.
• Institute of Medicine Report on Medication Errors: Report outlining how medication errors injure 1.5 million Americans annually and cost the economy billions of dollars.

Pressure Sores

• Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pressure Ulcers: The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) has published a 52 page summary of recommended protocols for treating pressure ulcers. This link provides valuable information regarding effective treatment options for pressure ulcers. The information is no substitute for medical advice, but it provides useful background information so you can have an informed discussion with your health care providers about the best steps to prevent and treat pressure ulcers.
• London Health Sciences Center: Examples of wounds and dressings: The London Health Sciences Center's website contains photographs of different types of wounds including pressure ulcers, skin tears, and diabetic ulcers and describes treatment options.
• E-medicine: Pressure Ulcers, Non-surgical treatment and Principles: E-medicine recently revised its article on the causes and treatment of pressure ulcers. This article provides an excellent overview of the prevalence of pressure ulcers, risk facts, treatments, and prognosis.
• American Academy of Wound Management: The American Academy of Wound Management is a not for profit organization that credentials practitioners in the field of wound care.
• American Professional Wound Care Association: The American Professional Wound Care Association is a membership organization that brings together professionals who treat complex wounds including pressure sores.
• Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN): WOCN is widely considered to be amongst the leading certifying organizations for wound care specialists.
• National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel - Revised Staging: The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel has revised the staging system for pressure ulcers and has expanded the definition of pressure ulcers. In addition to the four stages of pressure ulcers, the Advisory Panel has added categories for deep tissue injuries and unstageable pressure ulcers. The Advisory Panel has also expanded the definition of pressure ulcers to include ulcers formed by friction or sheer.
• Encyclopedia of Surgery: Bedsores: This link provides scholarly analysis of the prevalence of pressure sores, prevention, and treatment options.
• University of Virginia - Bed Sore Information: The UVA Medical Center's Department of Dermatology provides a brief overview of bed sores (also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers). This site describes the causes of bed sores and discusses treatment options.
• European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel: The European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel was created to study effective measures to prevent and treat pressure sores. This website contains valuable information including photographs depicting the stages of pressure ulcers and prevention and treatment guidelines.
• National Decubitis Foundation: The NDF website provides an immense amount of information pretaining to pressure sores.
• National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel: Provides multidisciplinary leadership for improved patient outcomes in pressure ulcer prevention and management through Education, Public Policy, & Research.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

• Aggression Between Nursing Home Patients is Common:

  A recent study by Cornell University shows that aggression between nursing home patients is far more common than previously thought.  "Resident to Resident" violence is a serious matter.  Nursing homes have an obligation to take reasonable steps to protect their residents from abuse  This study notes 35 different types of abuse inflicted on residents by other residents.

• National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this website contains a wealth of information about the risks for going into a nursing home, the costs of nursing home care, and how to prepare yourself for the possibility of becoming a nursing home patient.
• Compare Nursing Homes: 5 star rating system: Medicare has recently updated this web page so you can compare nursing homes based on a 5 star rating system. You can even search for nursing homes in your area based on the number of stars earned. The ratings are based on surveys by the nursing home inspectors.
• Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2008: Entering nursing home for the first time can be stressful, scary, and intimidating. When a patient is admitted to a nursing home they are often handled a large stack of papers to sign. Lost in those papers are an agreement to waive the right to trial by jury. Those papers often gather dust until a nursing home patient or his heirs sues for abuse and neglect. The Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2008 will make these agreements unenforceable. Please contact your representatives in Congress and let them know you support this legislation.
• AARP Article on Selecting a Nursing Home: A former long term care ombudsman offers ten tips for choosing a nursing home. Helpful tips include making an unannounced visit (just like a nursing home inspector) so you can see what the nursing looks like on an average day, not when they are anticipating a visit.
• TLC 4 Long Term Care: TLC 4 Long Term Care is a citizens group based in Virginia that seeks to improve the quality of care provided to nursing home patients.
• Citizens' Committee to Protect the Elderly: The Citizens' Committee to Protect the Elderly is a private non-profit group that information and support to families and residents of nursing homes.
• Nursing Home Reform Act - AARP Fact Sheet: After a 1986 study by the Institute of Medicine found that nursing home residents were being abused, neglected, and exploited, Congress passed the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987. This Fact Sheet by the AARP provides a useful summary of the Nursing Home Reform Act including the Resident's Bill of Rights and inspection and certification process.
• National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform: NCCNHR was formed because of public concern about substandard care in nursing homes. The National Coalition for Nursing Home Reform website provides information and leadership on federal and state regulatory and legislative policy development and models and strategies to improve care and life for residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
• Fact Sheet: Abuse and Neglect: The National Coalition for Nursing Home Reform provides important facts about the abuse and neglect of nursing home residents and what you can do to recognize abuse and protect vulnerable residents.
• Virginia Department of Health: Long Term Care: The Virginia Department of Health regulates Virginia nursing homes. This website provides information on nursing home regulations, inspections, and complaints.
• Virginia Department of Health: Complaint Form: The Virginia Department of Health is charged with regulating nursing homes. Through its website you may file a complaint against a nursing home if you believe that a patient is a victim of nursing home or neglect.
• Virginia Nursing Home Regulations: Click on the attached link to read the regulations that govern nursing homes in Virginia. Most nursing homes are also subject to federal laws and regulations.

Nursing Home Slip and Fall Injuries

• National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: Preventing fall injuries: The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control provides a useful toolkit to prevent slip and fall injuries to seniors. The statistics are staggering. The economic costs for fall injuries exceeds $27 billion dollars annually. Of the seniors who fall 20-30% will suffer moderate to severe injuries that limit their function and enjoyment of life.

Adult Homes

• Assisted Living Facility Regulations, Codes, and Interpretation: This link provides full access to all the Virginia laws that govern the operation of assisted living facilities including staffing requirements, policies of administering medications, and rules for maintaining a safe facility. 
• Consumer Consortium of Assisted Living: The Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living (CCAL) is a nonprofit consumer-based organization focused on the needs, rights and protection of assisted living residents, their caregivers & loved ones. There website provides a detailed overview of assisted living services and important issues to consider if you have a loved one in an assisted living facility.
• Assisted Living Facility inspection reports: The Virginia Department of Social Services provides online access to the results of unannounced inspections of assisted living facilities.
• Rights and Responsibilities of Residents of Assisted Living Facilities: Virginia law provides residents of assisted living facilities with basic rights. Attached is a link describes the minimum standard permitted by under Virginia law.
• Virginia State Bar's Senior Lawyer's Conference: Assisted Living Facilities in Virginia: This article was prepared for the Virginia State Bar's Senior Lawyer's Conference. The article describes the purposes of assisted living facilities and their ongoing problems.
• Standards and Regulations for Assisted Living Facilities: The Virginia Department of Social Services has promulgated regulations for licensed assisted living facilities. Facilities that fail to comply with the regulations are subject to sanction. They can be a basis for a civil lawsuit when their residents suffer injuries or death.
• Reporting Elder Abuse and Neglect to the Department of Social Services: Health care professionals have a legal duty to report the abuse and neglect of the elderly to the Department of Social Services. This link takes you to the Department of Social Services to show you how to properly report the abuse and neglect of the elderly.

General

• Senate Testimony on Elder Abuse in Long Term Care: Dr. Catherine Hawes' testimony on elder abuse in long term care communities. Her testimony reveals the shocking truth about the prevalence of elder abuse in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
• National Center on Elder Abuse: The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is a national resource for elder rights, law enforcement and legal professionals, public policy leaders, researchers, and the public. The Center’s mission is to promote understanding, knowledge sharing, and action on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Virginia Elder Rights Coalition: The Virginia Elder Rights Coalition (VERC) is a network of organizations, agencies, and individuals working together to promote the rights and autonomy of older Virginians.
• National Senior Citizens Law Center: The National Senior Citizens Law Center website contains a wealth of information about Medicare options, Medicaid, and the publication "20 Common Nursing Home Problems and How to Resolve them."
• Family Involvement in Nursing Home Care: What can family do to ensure that a nursing home provides quality care? The National Citizens Coalition for Nursing Home Reform has published this pamphlet that describes what you can do to prevent your loved one from becoming a victim of medical malpractice. Amongst the useful tips are to visit often and visit at different times of the day. If you or a loved one has been injured due to nursing home malpractice, please call us at (804) 288-1661 for a free consultation.
• Aging with Dignity: Aging with Dignity is a non-profit organization that provides practical advice, information and legal tools to promote the rights and final wishes of the elderly population.
• The Importance of Knowing a Nursing Facility's Emergency Evacuation Plan: Every nursing home is required to have comprehensive emergency plans in place. The plans should address maintaining sufficient staffing, food, vital medical equipment and evacuation in times of both man-made and natural disasters. This link to Senior Navigator provides additional information to help you ensure that your loved ones are protected.
• Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home: The Department of Health and Human Services provides a useful guide to selecting a nursing home. This website provides information about choosing the appropriate level of care, paying for nursing home care, and investigating whether the nursing home has a history of abuse and neglect.
• Virginia Board of Long Term Care Administrators: Nursing home administrators handle the business aspects of operating a nursing home. Those decisions affect the quality of patient care. Each nursing home must have an administrator licensed by the Virginia Board of Long Term Care Administrators. This website provides valuable information about the licensing requirements and laws related to administering nursing homes in Virginia
• Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C. - Medical Malpractice and Defective Products: At Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C. we represent clients injured due to medical malpractice and defective products. For more information about those practice areas, please visit our other website at www.wllc.com.
• Administration on Aging: You can access information about the agency, its mission, budget, and organizational structure. In addition, you can learn more about the Older Americans Act, the federal legislation establishing the AoA and authorizing a range of programs that offer services and opportunities for older Americans and their caregivers.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: The Clinton Administration unveiled an aggressive strategy in July 1998 to ensure that all nursing home residents are treated with dignity and compassion. Since then, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has begun to phase in key provisions of the nursing home initiative by issuing new guidance to states to strengthen their nursing home inspection systems and to crack down on nursing homes that repeatedly violate safety rules.
• First Gov for Seniors: FirstGov for Seniors will empower citizens to obtain valuable health and security information and services at one location via the Internet. FirstGov for Seniors is one of several projects created at the direction of the National Partnership for Reinventing Government (NPRG). The Social Security Administration (SSA) agreed to create, host and maintain FirstGov for Seniors as a service especially geared toward senior citizens.
• US Senate Special Committee on Aging: Throughout its existence, the Special Committee on Aging has served as a focal point in the Senate for discussion and debate on matters relating to older Americans. Often, the Committee will submit its findings and recommendations for legislation to the Senate. In addition, the Committee publishes materials of assistance to those interested in public policies which relate to the elderly.
• American Association of Retired Persons: The AARP has dedicated an entire section of their website to providing information on Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities.
• American Society on Aging: Nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of those working with older adults and their families.
• National Coalition for Nursing Home Reform: The Senior Citizens Bureau (SCB) is a national, non-profit, professional association for accredited senior industry professionals that provides a free and easily accessible Information Database where seniors and other interested parties can listen to specials, discounts, fraud alerts , complaint history, background information and more pertaining to nursing homes, nursing facilities, case managers, product manufacturers, medication and various other product and service providers.
• National Council on Aging: Founded in 1950, NCOA is the nation's first association of organizations and professionals dedicated to promoting the dignity, self-determination, well being, and contributions of older persons.
• People Over Profit: Corporate America and the Insurance Industry want to take away your rights, knowing they can make even higher profits by keeping honest, hardworking Americans out of the courtroom.
  
  At the People Over Profits website, learn how you can contact your Members of Congress to demand that they do not take away your rights to trial by jury, fair compensation, and protections from dangerous products.
• National Committee on the Prevention of Elder Abuse: The National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) is an association of researchers, practitioners, educators, and advocates dedicated to protecting the safety, security, and dignity of America's most vulnerable citizens.

Links & Resources