Elder Law Commons^™

Legally Alone: The Redeemability Of Guardianship And Recommendations Toward Equitable Access, Patrick Hecker

Northwestern Journal of Law & Social Policy

American adult guardianship needs reform. Thankfully, there is a small but dedicated reform movement that sheds helpful light on problems of underfunding, inattention, and abuse. While the movement’s efforts are needed, this Note argues it is a mistake to focus solely on the ways the guardianship system is sometimes harmful to people who already have access to guardianship. Few reformers consider the needs of people who would benefit from a guardian but do not have anyone to petition the court on their behalf.

This Note first argues that guardianship, despite its detractors, is redeemable. It can be part of a …

Forced Arbitration’S Lethal Consequence, Joanne Doroshow

Other Publications

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of Regulatory Standards And Enforcement Devices In The Nursing Home Industry, James L. Miller

Akron Law Review

This comment will encompass three areas. First, the economic structure of the nursing home industry and existing problems will be described. Second, current regulatory standards and enforcement devices which have been developed by federal agencies to deal with these problems will be explored. Third, the recent enactment of Ohio legislation which not only confers various rights upon nursing home residents but also seeks to eliminate institutional abuse through the implementation of adaptive enforcement devices, will be examined. In addition, the Ohio nursing home "bill of rights" will be looked at in conjunction with similar legislation passed in New York.

Preventing Resident-To-Resident Abuse In Long-Term Care: Targeting Sex Offenders But Missing The Mark

Marquette Elder's Advisor

No abstract provided.

Filial Support Laws In The Modern Era: Domestic And International Comparison Of Enforcement Practices For Laws Requiring Adult Children To Support Indigent Parents, Katherine C. Pearson

Faculty Scholarship

Family responsibility and support laws have a long but mixed history. When first enacted, policy makers used such laws to declare an official policy that family members should support each other, rather than draw upon public resources. This article tracks modern developments with filial support laws that purport to obligate adult children to financially assist their parents, if indigent or needy. The author diagrams filial support laws that have survived in the 21st Century and compares core components in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and post-Soviet Union Ukraine. While the laws are often similar in wording and declared intent, …

Sexual Abuse In Nursing Homes, Elizabeth A. Capezuti, Deborah J. Swedlow

Marquette Elder's Advisor

This article describes the common characteristics of sexually abused nursing home residents and details the many physical and psychological consequences of sexual abuse. The article considers the victim's ability to report the abuse and how to compassionately conduct the victim interview and collect evidence. The article discusses relevant federal and state law and analyzes various theories of liability.

Legal Aspects Of Chemical Restraint Use In Nursing Homes, Julie A. Braun, Lawrence A. Frolik

Marquette Elder's Advisor

Chemical restraint, which is the excessive control of behavior through the use of medication, is just one of the many risks faced by nursing home residents. This article explores the definition of chemical restraint, its adverse effects, relevant federal and state laws and regulation, customary industry practice, and practice tips for correcting discovered abuse.

Litigation Nursing Home Wandering Cases, Steven M. Levin, Janice F. Mulligan

Marquette Elder's Advisor

This article defines the term wandering and provides prevalence estimates of wanderers within nursing homes nationwide. It addresses the standard of care applicable to wandering cases and reviews court opinions that consider whether the nursing home was on notice of a resident's known tendency to wander. It also discusses discovery in wander cases and concludes with practice tips.

From The Guest Editors: Nursing Home Litigation: An Overview, Julie A. Braun, Jane M.R. Mulcahy

Marquette Elder's Advisor

This article provides an overview of the most common fact patterns involved in the litigation of neglect or abuse of the elderly. The common fact patterns include: choking and feeding tube, wandering, falls and related injuries, physical and chemical restraints, scalding, burns, malnutrition and dehydration, pressure sores, medication errors, and sexual abuse.

Be Careful What You Wish For: The Maryland Medicaid Waiver Experience, Jason A. Frank

Marquette Elder's Advisor

No abstract provided.

Texas' Nursing Home Enforcement System, Lowell A. Keig, Rande K. Herrell

Marquette Elder's Advisor

This article examines Texas' nursing home regulation system, and suggest that it should be a national model.

Special Care Units: History, Regulation, And Criticism, Mollie Grande

Marquette Elder's Advisor

Special care units are nursing home areas dedicated to providing care for patients with dementia. This article describes the characteristics of individuals with dementia who need long-term care, outlines the reasons special care units were created, and discusses issues regarding their regulation.

The "Income First" Rule: The Blumer Case, James Jaeger

Marquette Elder's Advisor

This article discusses the case of Burnett and Irene Blumer and the case's implementation of the "income first" rule.

Abuse In Nursing Homes: Consumers Are Being Left In The Dark, Kathryn Hensiak

Marquette Elder's Advisor

Horrific reports of physical and sexual abuse plague our nation's nursing homes. A key information resource for consumers, the federal Nursing Home Compare website, is failing to provide adequate information. While government officials are making efforts to improve the site, consumers must be vigilant and protect family members in nursing home care.

Grandparent Molesting: Sexual Abuse Of Elderly Nursing Home Residents And Its Prevention , Robert A. Hawks

Marquette Elder's Advisor

Nursing home residents, especially those with diminished capacity and/or no close relatives nearby, are probably at much greater risk of abuse (especially sexual abuse) than available statistics would indicate. Hawks explains why abuse is underreported, how reporting requirements vary, and describes the effects of elder sexual abuse and its treatment. Legal actions that abused victims and government agencies can or should take and possible legislative changes are also explored.

St. Ritas And Lost Causes: Improving Nursing Home Emergency Preparedness , Robert A. Mead

Marquette Elder's Advisor

This timely article explores the legally required emergency preparedness (or lack of it) at St. Rita's Nursing Home in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when residents were not evacuated as was mandated. The operators were charged with thirty-four counts of negligent homicide. Issues studied include the dangers of evacuating versus not evacuating, varying emergency preparedness regulations and their enforcement, and the failure of legislatures to strengthen such regulations

Negotiating For Resident-Centered Care, Eric M. Carlson

Marquette Elder's Advisor

This article examines how lack of consumer knowledge contributes to the current disparities in residential care. Carlson explains how consumers can negotiate for better service and get their care tailored to their specific needs through managing interactions with the healthcare professionals and facility staff. The article also acknowledges that there is currently a gradual change occurring in residential care.

For The Rest Of Their Lives: Seniors And The Fair Housing Act, Robert G. Schwemm, Michael Allen

Law Faculty Scholarly Articles

America's population is growing older. According to the 2000 census, more than 35 million people in the United States (12% of the total population) are over 65 years old. These figures are expected to grow dramatically in the early decades of the twenty-first century as the "Baby Boom" generation reaches retirement age and as improvements in health care make it possible for more people to live to an advanced age.

Providing housing for this segment of the American population is already a massive industry and one that will certainly grow as the number of, older persons increases. One of the …

The Nursing Home Crisis: Views From A Trustee In The Nonprofit Sector, Marshall B. Kapp

Journal of Health Care Law and Policy

No abstract provided.

Nursing Home Residents And The New California Health Care Decisions Law, David M. English, Rebecca C. Morgan

Faculty Publications

This article explores issues involving advance directives made by nursing home residents, both prior to and during their stay in a facility, including the frequency of making directives, the reasons why residents fail to make directives, and the reasons why facilities often fail to honor them. Specifically, this article examines these issues in light of the 1999 California Health Care Decisions Law, effective July 1, 2000, and focuses on how this new statute can be used to empower nursing home residents, and adults more generally, to take control of decisions regarding their own health care.

Case Note: Constitutional Law - Fair Hearing - A Provider Of Services Has A Right To Challenge A Determination Of Medicaid Benefits For Its Patients, Leonard J. Morreale, Jr.

Fordham Urban Law Journal

In this case note, Leonard J. Morreale, Jr. analyzes Peninsula General Nursing Home v. Sugarman, 57 App. Div. 2d 268, 394 N.Y.S.2d 644 (1st Dep't 1977). Jacob Stupler, an alleged indigent, was enrolled in the federal Medicare program which reimbursed the petitioner, Peninsula General Nursing Home, for the cost of medical care and services rendered to him. When federal benefits were terminated, petitioner promptly applied for Medicaid coverage on behalf of Mr. Stupler pursuant to the New York State Medical Assistance for Needy Persons Plan. The Social Services Department of the City of New York denied the application because Mr. …