A woman accused of neglecting an elderly woman in the early stages of dementia pleaded guilty Monday to recklessly endangering another person. The caretaker accepted the elderly woman as a client at her personal care
home in February 2006. At that time, the woman could not communicate for herself, and could
not eat, use the restroom, walk or dress without assistance, according
to court documents. The facility was an unlicensed personal care facility run out of the caretakers home.
The investigators found that the former caretaker dropped the resident off at the hospital in May of 2007 without providing any medical history to the hospital or notifying the patient’s family. The woman passed away less than two months later due to sever pressure ulcers (also known as bed sores, and decubitus ulcers) which had become septic.The caretaker stated that the woman’s pressure ulcers had not become that severe.
The caretaker faces the charges of neglect of care of a dependent person, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault for allowing woman to suffer bed sores that that became septic and poisoned her bloodstream. For more, read the story.
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Robert W. Carter,
Jr. is a Virginia attorney whose law practice is dedicated to
protecting the rights of the victims of nursing home and assisted
living neglect and abuse in Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk, Lynchburg,
Danville, Charlottesville, and across Virginia.
