Elder Abuse is Not Limited to Nursing Homes
Many people are aware of the dangers of nursing home abuse and neglect. What they may not be aware of is that, sadly, abuse of vulnerable adults is not limited to the nursing home setting. Many elderly and disabled adults are cared for in their homes by home health professionals, either on a part time or full time basis. A tragic story out of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, illustrates the harm that can be done by home health professionals to the adults in their care.
In February of this year, Dwight Cullen was attempting to put Brian Bloodworth into his wheelchair, without first securing him in a harness. Bloodworth, a semi-comatose quadriplegic, fell to the floor and Cullen fell on top of him. What happened next is unimaginable. Cullen hit Bloodworth’s head against the wheelchair numerous times before pulling him across the floor by one leg. During the attack, Bloodworth’s urinary catheter and feeding tube came out, causing him to bleed. The home security camera which caught the whole accident on tape then shows that Cullen attempted to reinsert the catheter and the feeding tube without taking appropriate sanitary measures, and even attempting to put the feeding tube in incorrectly.
As disturbing as the attack is, it is also shocking because Cullen had been caring for Bloodworth for nineteen years. Unfortunately, while many home care professionals do take good care of their patients, all it takes is one attack to severely injure, traumatize, or even kill a patient. It is fortunate that there was a security camera in Bloodworth’s home, as it is unclear whether he would have been able to communicate with anyone about what had happened to him.
Cullen’s health care license has been suspended, and the state Department of Health has initiated proceedings to place his name on the state’s elder abuse registry. Unfortunately, during the time in between the attack on Bloodworth and the suspension of his license, Cullen obtained employment caring for another patient. His employer claimed that they knew nothing of the attack, as Cullen was not yet on the abuse registry.
Families of elderly and disabled adults who utilize the services of home health care providers should always be familiar with the people who are providing care for their loved ones. Home security cameras and other equipment can provide valuable protection and information in the event that something does go wrong. While the camera which filmed Dwight Cullen’s attack on Brian Bloodworth did not stop the attack from happening, cameras can pick up on threatening behavior which may develop prior to an attack and it can also provide evidence that can hold health care professionals responsible for their actions.
Abuse by home care providers is just as serious of a problem as abuse in nursing homes. If you suspect that a friend or relative is experiencing any type of abuse while they are being tended to by a home care provider, report it immediately so that it can be investigated. Also, contact the Memphis Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC as soon as you can, in order to protect their rights. Call our office at 901-680-9777 to schedule a time to discuss your case with us. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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