In a recent MDH report with a substantiated finding of neglect against Edgewood Hermantown Senior Living after resident wanders without supervision.

Recent MDH Substantiated Neglect Finding at Edgewood Hermantown Senior Living for neglect of supervision.

Edgewood Hermantown Senior Living Allegation of Violations of Resident Rights

Edgewood Hermantown Senior Living Physical and Verbal Abuse of Client

In a report dated January 20, 2017 the Minnesota Department of Health alleged that a client at Edgewood Hermantown Senior Living was abused when staff forced the client into his/her wheelchair causing a toe injury and forcefully pulled the resident up with a transfer belt.  Also, it is alleged the client’s rights were violated when staff made the client go to the dining area when s/he did not want to go.

Edgewood Hermantown Senior Living Substantiated Abuse Allegations

Based on a preponderance of the evidence, abuse occurred when the alleged perpetrator (AP) transferred the client with a gait belt against his/her will and in a manner that resulted in physical pain to the client’s stomach and toe,  and which produced emotional distress to the client.  In addition, the client suffered emotional distress when the AP forced the client to go to the dining room against his/her will.  The AP also used repeated malicious oral language towards the client and treated the client in a manner which was disparaging, derogatory, humiliating, and harassing.

The client received services from the home care provider for activities of daily living, behavioral management as needed, and wheelchair escorts according to the client’s service agreement and care plans.  The client self-transferred to his/her wheelchair without staff assistance.  The client’s behavioral plan of care indicated staff members were to notify the nurse of refusal of care or services, as the client how s/he would like the task performed, re-approach if the client refused care or services, and remind the client they were the aide for the shift.  The client was alert and oriented to person, place, and time, and his/her cognition was determined to be normal according to a nurse’s assessment.

Document review, a review of an audio recording of the incident, and interviews with the client, staff, family, and the AP were conducted.  The client was sitting on his/her couch when the AP came into client’s room to escort the client to supper.  The client was placing a call to a family member at the time and the family member’s answering machine answered the call.  The client was holding the cell phone when AP came into the room and did not disconnect the call.  The incident was consequently recorded on the answering machine.  The client told the AP s/he was not feeling well and did not want to go to the dining room.  The AP responded by stating that the client was lying, and told the client s/he was going to the dining room.  The AP put a gait belt around the client’s chest, although a gait belt was not ordinarily used for this client because the client self-transferred.  The belt was so tight it was hard for the client to breath.  The AP used one hand on the gait belt and pulled the client off the couch so forcefully that the client hit his/her toe on the nearby wheelchair.  The client stated s/he was “yanked” off the couch, and clarified that s/he meant the AP pulled with an abrupt, “jerking” motion and not a steady pull.  The client stated the pain was so intense, the client thought s/he passed out from the pain.  The client said s/he was very distressed during the incident and said when s/he came to, s/he was sitting in the wheelchair being escorted to the dining room against his/her will.  The client said a toe was bruised and sore after the incident,  still bothers him/her, and requires ongoing treatment by a doctor.  The client has ongoing fear and anxiety as a result of the incident.  See the rest of the report here.

Edgewood Hermantown Senior Living – Report Suspected Abuse and Neglect

Click Here For Link To Report Abuse To Adult Protection

If you have concerns about medication errors, improper use of medical equipment, falls or any other form of elder abuse or neglect contact Minnesota Elder Abuse Attorney Kenneth LaBore at 612-743-9048 or toll free at 1-888-452-6589 or by email at KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com.

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Theft of Cash from Resident at Edgewood Hermantown Senior Living

Money Taken From Client at Edgewood Hermantown Senior Living

In a report from the Minnesota Department of Health dated April 26, 2016, it was alleged that a client at Edgewood Hermantown was financially exploited when the alleged perpetrator4 (AP) took the client’s money for his/her personal use.

The MDH Cites Edgewood Hermantown Senior Living For Theft

Based on a preponderance of the evidence, financial exploitation did occur when the alleged perpetrator (AP) took $100 from the client without the client’s permission.

The client received services from the comprehensive home care provider for housekeeping and laundry.

Interview with the client revealed the client was in the dining room with his/her spouse when s/he saw the AP walk past him/her, walk down the hallway, and enter his/her room.  The client walked towards his/her room and saw the AP exit his/her room.  The client checked his/her dresser drawer and noticed s/he was missing $100 in $20 bills.  The client said it was there the night before and no one else had entered his/her room nor did the client’s spouse take the money.  The client escorted the AP to the front desk and reported to the facility staff and police interviewed the AP and the AP admitted to taking $100 in $20 bills from the client.

Interview with the facility staff revealed the client and s/he was in the dining room with his/her spouse when s/he saw the AP walk down the hallway, enter, and then exit his/her room.  Staff said the client escorted the AP to the front desk and reported s/he saw the AP enter his/her apartment without authorization and now was missing $100.  Facility staff interviewed the AP and the AP admitted to taking $100 in $20 bills from the client.  Facility staff the police to report the theft.

A police report indicated the police interviewed the client and the AP.  During the interview the AP admitted to taking $100 in $20 bills from the client.  The police forwarded their findings to the county attorney’s office for formal charging.

For more information from the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints concerning nursing homes, assisted living and other elder care providers view resolved complaints at the MDH website.

If you have concerns about medication errors, improper use of medical equipment, falls or any other form of elder abuse or neglect contact Minnesota Elder Abuse Attorney Kenneth LaBore at 612-743-9048 or toll free at 1-888-452-6589 or by email at KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com.

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Free Consultation on Issues of Elder Abuse and Neglect Serving all of Minnesota Toll Free 1-888-452-6589