Every state has an agency in charge of investigating nursing home abuse and neglect claims. In Texas it is the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (TDADS), which was created to administer long-term services and support for people who are aging and who have cognitive and physical disabilities.
However, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), when nursing home residents were possibly harmed by their caregivers last year, state investigators failed to quickly respond in two out of three cases within the required 10 working day deadline.
In addition, police officer’s are not adequately trained to investigate elder abuse allegations. There needs to be a set protocol or a special unit that deals with elder abuse allegations. The commissioner of the Department of Aging and Disability Services told a Senate committee that, “Officers need to have a clear picture of what agency officials do in responding to complaints of abuse and neglect, and training in how to work together in those investigations.”
It is important that someone who understands the disease processes of Dementia and Alzheimer do the investigations. Many times law officers do not comprehend the disease well enough to do a thorough evaluation of the situation. For instance, if a person who suffers from Dementia or Alzheimer’s makes an allegation, they may be written off as being confused causing officials to doubt the validity of the claim. Sadly, there is the perception that it is not as serious, and that people who have Dementia and Alzheimer’s can’t be damaged because they cannot remember the attack.
No related posts.
Comments
No Responses to “Is Abuse at Nursing Homes Properly Investigated?”