Charles Cranford was a South Carolina stroke victim and a patient at Greenville Community Home, where he passed away due to positional asphyxiation. The coroner and Charles’s sister, Deborah Cranford, suspect that he slid down too far in his seat and choked on a neck restraint. Deborah has filed a lawsuit against Greenville Community Home in hopes of shedding light on the issue of restraint abuse in nursing home facilities throughout the state.
Restraint Abuse: The Reality of the Situation
Nursing homes are a common way to care for your elders and loved ones as they grow older. Unfortunately, recent evidence has revealed that it is increasingly common to find your loved ones physically restrained in nursing homes throughout South Carolina.
Restraints used to limit the movements of elderly are supposed to be a last resort – reserved only for extreme measures. Before ever using restraints, nurses and doctors are supposed to calm and soothe a distraught patient in order to prevent harmful behavior. Even when restraints are used, the doctor must renew his/her permission every 24 hours, as the restraints can cause skin tears, bruises, and even fractures. As a national average, about 10% of patients in nursing homes are restrained at some point during the year.
Cases of misuse and complaints regarding restraints have been filed to the Department of Health and Environmental Control, the agency that investigates the use of physical restraints. However, the agency has only issued a total of 7 investigations for restraints over the last 3 years.
If your elderly loved one has been abused or neglected in a state nursing home facility, contact us at Jordan Law Center: (864) 642-0367.
No person – no matter their age – should have to live with neglect or abuse.
At Jordan Law Center, we truly believe in protecting your loved ones. We have the dedication and resources to work with you and hold the abusers accountable. Contact our Greenville nursing home abuse lawyer today for a free initial consultation.
