Nurse’s aide charged with abuse and other nursing home crimes

December 23, 2017
Kevin Tharpe

Many families in Georgia have elderly loved ones who reside in assisted living facilities. Part of long-term care often includes researching and finding the right nursing home to suit a particular person’s needs. When a family thinks it has found the right place for one of its members, then learns that things are not up to par, it’s understandable that feelings of anger or frustration might set in. This appears to be the type of situation that has taken place with regard to a facility in another state.

A certified nurse’s aide, who also happens to be former police officer, has been accused of stealing pain patches off of patients. He is also charged with assault and battery, in addition to crimes involving larceny of a controlled substance. All told, the man now faces charges for one misdemeanor and three felonies.

The abuse charge alone carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison as well as substantial fines. An investigation was launched by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the office of the state attorney general after a complaint was filed alleging the theft of narcotics at the nursing home. At some point during the investigation, the former police officer became a suspect.

There are many elderly patients who need narcotics pain medication patches. To think that a family would go through the trouble of checking out a nursing home, then experience issues of theft is awful. Long-term care planning can be quite complex because there are many issues to take into consideration. One thing a family can do is inquire whether any complaints of theft, neglect or abuse have ever been filed against a particular facility. A Georgia attorney experienced in elder law would be a great asset to have on hand when trying to make arrangements for loved one or addressing a particular problem that arises after residence is obtained.

Source: enidnews.com, “Ex-cop accused of taking pain patches off elderly nursing home residents“, Cass Rains, Dec. 8, 2017

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Kevin Tharpe

With 25 years of experience, Kevin understands how estate planning, special needs planning, and government benefits programs work together. This is a crucial element of a thorough plan. He explains your eligibility for benefits programs and ensures that you do not make costly mistakes that may disqualify you or deplete your assets.

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