Test Your Knowledge › Case 3

Horace Taylor, age 93, is admitted from a skilled nursing facility. He is febrile, dehydrated, confused, and has a stage III pressure ulcer. His family is concerned that he has not been receiving proper care. They report that when he tells the nurse that he doesn’t want his medicine, she doesn’t work to get him to take it, but simply records that he refused. They report he is left to lie in bed when he could be up and dressed with assistance and he doesn’t get the help he needs to eat his meals. Horace’s son reported that on his last visit to his father, he found old food in Horace’s mouth. The family members are upset and don’t know where to turn.

Signs of neglect.

What should I do? (Choose all that apply)

	A.	Diagnose and treat Horace for is medical condition. His living situation is not our concern.
	B.	Call the Beacon program.
	C.	Involve the hospital social worker to help Horace’s family determine the options for his care .
	D.	Report the possible lack of adequate care by skilled nursing facility to the Division of Facility Services, Licensure and Certification Section, 1- 800-624-3004
	E.	Report the information about mistreatment to the county Department of Social Services’ Adult Protective Services office

Answer: Click to View

Correct answers: B, C, D

This is a suspected case of abuse at a skilled nursing facility. You are required to report this case. While the Beacon Program and the hospital social worker can be helpful, the Division of Facility Services needs to know about the lack of care in a facility licensed by the state.

What are signs of neglect?

Refer to "what is Elder Neglect?" information in this website.

Do you report this suspected neglect?

Yes

To whom?

Cases of Neglect in a skilled nursing faciltiy should be reported to the Division of Facility Services, Licensure and Certification Section should be alerted to the possible problems in the nursing home that they regulate. The North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services also has a Long Term Care Ombudsman Program which can be helpful in advocating for the patient. Information about this program http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/aging/ombud.htm and the people to contact http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/aging/ombud/ombstaff.htm can be found on the internet.