ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Exploitation Of Seniors And Dependent Adults In Group Home
Arrest For Ten Counts Of Exploitation
Elders And Dependent Adults Removed From Unlicensed Home
Group homes are ideally supposed to provide a comfortable living environment for a small number of people with similar issues, whether that be elderly persons, dependent adults, or people with chemical dependencies that need support for daily living. Group homes are not medical facilities, but group homes are under the supervision of the California Department of Social Services and required to have staff available to help residents, as necessary depending on their conditions, with their daily needs for survival. Unfortunately, many smaller group homes that elderly and disabled persons find themselves living in have limited regulations through both the state and federal laws. Some of the homes may be unlicensed. Some of the homes may be owned by individuals more concerned with profits than they are for their residents’ needs. Some homes, even though licensed, may have a very small staff, which means that it is easy for neglect or abuse to happen and be overlooked. Whatever the situation, group homes are supposed to be a safer haven, but all too often they are not. Evans Law Firm, Inc. represents victims of all forms of elder abuse in California. If you have a senior loved one who has suffered elder abuse in the Bay Area or elsewhere in California, call us today at 1 (415) 441-8669, and we can help. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Abuse In Group Homes
Two recently reported cases of allegations of abuse in homes illustrate incidents of abuse of dependent adults in these settings.[i] In the first case, a staff member in a senior and dependent adult group home was accused of elder abuse against a senior resident of the unlicensed group home. The defendant, along with three other employees, allegedly abused elderly people by targeting and exploiting mentally handicapped, homeless, and dependable individuals who qualified for federal benefits, which the group home received in order to care for the elder and dependent persons. The group of employees were reportedly also charged with providing residents with unsanitary living conditions and non-functional bathrooms. After researching the facility, police noted that the unlicensed group home regularly employed people who had violent criminal backgrounds. In the second case, an operator of an unlicensed home for dependent adults was arrested on ten counts of exploitation of dependent adults. Investigators removed the dependent adults from the unlicensed home and placed them in suitable, licensed facilities. The operator is awaiting trial on the allegations of exploitation.
Background and License Checks
If you have a senior or dependent adult loved one who needs to reside in a group home or other care facility, always check out the facility before they move in. Care facility and group homes are required to be licensed under California law. You can check whether any home is licensed by searching https://www.ccld.dss.ca.gov/carefacilitysearch/. Once your loved home enters a group home or other care facility check in on them often and contact counsel immediately if you suspect any abuse or problems. Elder or dependent abuse does not just stop or miraculously go away; it tends to escalate if not stopped as soon as possible.
Contact Us
Whether your loved one is at home under the care of an in-home caregiver, or in a nursing home, group home, or assisted care facility, Ingrid M. Evans can help you hold anyone accountable for abuse and injuries they suffer. If you or a loved one has been the victim of financial or physical elder abuse in San Francisco, or elsewhere in California, contact elder abuse attorney Ingrid M. Evans at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
[i] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the reported cases.
