Officials in one state have revoked the license of an assisted living facility accused of care and staffing deficiencies. In addition to the revocation of its license, the facility faces over $20,000 in fines. The facility houses young adults with disabilities including autism.

A judge in one state has determined that the state cap on damages for medical malpractice cases does not apply to nursing homes. In 2009, a resident died from neglect while at a facility owned by HCR Manor Care. The case went to trial in 2011, where witnesses testified that the facility was intentionally understaffed in order to maximize profits.

A jury awarded damages to the family of a nursing home resident who died of a morphine overdose in 2009. The 46-year-old mentally ill man died after being found unresponsive at the facility. His death was originally thought to be caused by a heart attack.

Officials from the Department of Health shut down a nursing home earlier this week after learning that the facility had been operating for several days without heat or hot water. A family member of a resident at the facility reported that residents were wearing coats inside and eating from disposable dishes. After an investigation, the 25 residents living at the facility were moved to various other facilities in the region.

Legislative officials in one state have approved a bill that would allow nursing home residents or their families more freedom to place camera’s in patient rooms. The legislation says people can’t be denied residence or kicked out of nursing homes if they or their families place cameras in their rooms. The bill passed the state House of Representatives without opposition this week.

A Virginia news source has reported that approximately one million older Americans are the victims of financial abuse each year. The theft of roughly $2.9 billion per year is the result of abusive family members, neighbors, friends, caregivers, and financial officers. In response to the growing problem, the New River Valley Elder Justice Coalition plans to sponsor a Community Dialogue on Financial Abuse among Older Adults next month.