Autopsies can be performed by private companies when a cause of death is ambiguous or unknown and needs to be known by family members of the deceased. This is often important for legal cases and closure regarding a loved one’s death. In today's episode, nursing home abuse attorneys Rob Schenk and Will Smith discuss private autopsies and when they are performed with guest Dr. Virginia Richards of Greenwich Forensic MD.

Setting out to find a nursing home is a big decision with a lot of factors. Cost and quality of care are paramount and finding the right nursing home for your loved one requires a lot of research. In today's episode, nursing home abuse attorneys Rob Schenk and Will Smith discuss how to research and find a nursing home with guest Jeff Bird, President of Parkview Aging Services.

Wandering and elopement are difficult problems that older people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease face. Caretakers are needed who understand the life threatening nature of these diseases and how to keep those they care for safe. In today's episode, nursing home abuse attorneys Rob Schenk and Will Smith discuss wandering and elopement prevention with guest Gene Saunders, CEO of Project Lifesaver International.

Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution method that is often mandated by contracts signed to get into a nursing home or obligated by a judge in a nursing home lawsuit. It is an alternative to litigation, so mediation is a strategic decision. In today's episode, nursing home abuse attorneys Rob Schenk and Will Smith discuss mediation and when it occurs, covering logistics, timeline, and the results of a successful mediation.

The Georgia Long Term Care Ombudsman’s office oversees operations of long term care facilities for Georgia nursing home residents and others needing long term care.  This office is a vital resource for having quality-of-care concerns addressed by residents and families. In today's episode, nursing home abuse attorney Rob Schenk discusses how nursing home concerns can be brought to the attention of the Ombudsman’s office with guest Melanie McNeil, State Long Term Care Ombudsman.

An estimated 50 million people worldwide live with dementia. This number will almost double every 20 years, reaching 75 million in 2030 and 131.5 million in 2050. In today’s episode, nursing home abuse attorneys Rob Schenk and Will Smith discuss the definition of dementia, the symptoms, and techniques for caring for loved ones with dementia, with guest Kate Swaffer, the Co-Founder and CEO of Dementia Alliance International.

In the 15 year period between 1985 and 2010, there were 803 incidents of patients or residents becoming caught, trapped, entangled, or strangled in beds with rails. Of these reports, 480 people died, 138 had a nonfatal injury, and 185 were not injured because staff intervened. In today’s episode, nursing home abuse attorneys Rob Schenk and Will Smith discuss the dangers of bedrails with Robyn Grant, the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.

Bedsores are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue. While they tend to be common in nursing homes, they are almost always 100% preventable. In fact, if your loved one has developed a bedsore, there is a good chance that it arose out of neglect. In today’s episode, nursing home abuse attorneys Rob Schenk and Will Smith discuss bedsore treatment and prevention with Clay Smith, a registered nurse. Clay Smith currently provides nursing care in a progressive care unit of a Georgia hospital.

Recently, a former resident of northwest Fresno, California nursing home alleged in a civil lawsuit that he had to have his right eye removed after staff at the nursing home allowed him to be attacked twice by his roommate. In today’s episode, nursing home abuse attorneys Rob Schenk and Will Smith discuss the case, including the topics of constructive knowledge and what steps nursing homes should take to reduce injury

Three staff members at a Georgia senior-care facility were indicted on charges that their actions not only caused the death of a resident in their care, but that they also tried to cover up his death. In today’s episode, nursing home abuse attorneys Rob Schenk and Will Smith discuss the case, including the topics of video surveillance, following physician’s orders, and criminal liability in nursing home abuse cases