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 About Adam Peck

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.

Sexual Battery in Nursing Homes

Sexually abused elderly woman in bed at a California nursing home

Nursing home abuse and neglect are some of the unfortunate realities residents of these homes may have to face. There are many different forms of abuse that nursing home residents may be subjected to. One of the most serious forms of abuse is sexual battery.

Sexual Abuse of the Elderly

Elder sexual abuse occurs when a perpetrator engages in any form of sexual contact with the elderly person without their consent. Many victims of sexual battery are not capable of giving consent due to various health conditions, like Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. When the perpetrator is an employee of the nursing home, other issues concerning consent tend to arise; since the employee generally holds a position of power over the elderly individual. Even if the elderly person does not have dementia, they may not truly consent to sexual activity, since it may be something they feel forced into due to the nursing home employee’s position of power over them.

Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse

There are some warning signs of sexual abuse that concerned friends and family members may want to watch for. The clearest sign is your elderly loved one reporting an incident of sexual battery to the facility or telling you or someone else about it. If your loved one has unexplained bruising or bleeding, particularly to the genital area, this is a concerning sign, as is torn or bloody clothing. Another indicator of sexual battery is the elderly resident suddenly needing treatment for a sexually transmitted disease. It is important to make yourself aware of warning signs of sexual abuse if you have concerns about a loved one living in a nursing home. Many instances of sexual battery go unreported, for a number of reasons.

If you believe your loved one has experienced sexual battery or any other form of abuse while living in a nursing home, contact the attorneys at The Peck Law Group today. We can help your loved one fight back against abuse and potentially receive compensation for his or her injuries.

Dehydration in Nursing Homes

nursing home neglect attorney california

A common form of neglect that occurs all too often in nursing homes is dehydration. Dehydration occurs when the body is deprived of water to the extent that it causes a disruption in its ability to function.

Nursing Home Facility Dehydration

A nursing home resident may become dehydrated when they pass urine, but do not drink enough water to replenish their body. Throughout the day, a person loses water through normal living activities, such as breathing, sweating, and using the bathroom. If the fluids lost are not replaced, then the body will suffer by not having enough water stored to perform necessary bodily activities. Even if a nursing home resident says they are not thirsty, it is important that the staff at these facilities make sure that the residents are getting proper nutrition, including adequate amounts of water.

Causes of Dehydration in Elderly Nursing Home Residents

One of the main causes of dehydration in nursing home residents is inadequate supervision by the staff. This can also be a result of insufficient staffing practices, as many nursing homes try to save money by reducing the number of employees they have. With a limited number of staff, the health of the residents is negatively impacted as they may not receive the proper care when the staff is stretched thin trying to accommodate all of the residents’ needs.

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration in Nursing Homes

There are some signs and symptoms you should look for if you have concerns that your elderly loved one is dehydrated and is not receiving proper care. These signs include a dry mouth, dry and papery skin, and a decrease in urine output. Other indicators of a more serious dehydration problem include confusion, the inability to sweat, sunken eyes and cheeks, and low blood pressure.

If you have an elderly loved one in a nursing home and you believe they are not being taken care of properly, contact the nursing home attorneys at The Peck Law Group today. We can help you fight for compensation for all forms of nursing home abuse and neglect, including dehydration and its impact on your loved one’s health.

Bed Sores Information

Hospital beds, bed sores information Los Angeles California

Elder abuse and neglect, while incredibly unfortunate, is happening throughout California. Bed sores is one of the types of elder abuse that most commonly happens in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Bed sores, also called decubitus ulcers and pressure ulcers can be caused in a variety of ways. They usually result from a person’s skin either creating friction on a surface such as sheet or cast, or by laying in bed for an extended amount of time without proper care. Areas without as much fat or muscle are the most susceptible to bed sores, however they can really occur anywhere on the body.

How can you tell if a bed sore is forming?

Bed sores usually start out by forming a pink discoloration on part of a person’s skin. Depending on how long the area has had pressure on it, it may disappear within 2-3 hours once that area has been relieved. If the person continues to lay on that area without the proper care, they may eventually start to develop a deep wound in their skin, and sometimes even into their bone and/or internal organs.

Similar to a burn, a bed sore begins very mild (picture a first-degree burn) and worsens / deepens over time (third-degee burn).

Preventing Bed Sores from Occurring

The best way in preventing bed sores from occurring is by changing position approximately every two hours. Depending on the elderly person’s condition, they may need more or less supervision and help. Other ways to prevent bed sores include healthy eating, good hygiene, staying hydrated, and adding padding to areas susceptible to bed sores.

Have you or a loved one been a victim on elder abuse or neglect in California?

If so you are not alone – the Peck Law Group can help. Their elder abuse attorneys specialize in helping people that have been abused or neglected, including bed sores / pressure ulcers. With close to 50 years experience in helping victims of abuse, the Peck Law Group can handle your case in the best, most effective way possible. Call the Peck Law Group today for your free case evaluation at 866-999-9085 or by using the contact form on this website.