Assisted Living Abuse Blamed for Death of a Wisconsin Resident

Assisted Living Abuse

A Verona, Wisconsin facility is being cited for assisted living neglect this week after the March death of an 83-year-old resident who was found outside the facility, dead from hypothermia.

According to reports, the Four Winds Lodge assisted living facility failed to put an alarm bracelet on Edna Biederman’s wrist before she left the building in the early morning hours on March 8. The alarm bracelet is used for residents who are prone to wandering and/or suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive problems. Biederman had Alzheimer’s and dementia. Per the Department of Health, Biederman had been showing signs of “exit-seeking” behavior several days before her death, yet nothing was done to prevent her from wandering.

The state of Wisconsin has fined Four Winds Lodge over $800 and gave them a citation for failing to provide the services needed for the resident. Lynn Howard, the administrator of Four Winds, defended the facility by stating that there are alarms on every door and a wireless nursing help call system in place. Yet, the staff still failed to do a 2-hour resident check on two different occasions the morning Biederman disappeared. Staff members saw her earlier in the week with boots on, claiming she was going home. They said she didn’t actually leave, but according to authorities, this should have been a warning, and an alarm bracelet should have been used immediately.

Staff members found Biederman at around 8 a.m. She was outside, close to the emergency exit area of the facility, wearing pink slippers, a flowered shirt, and pants. Although the death was ruled as accidental by the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office, Four Winds is responsible for the negligent behavior that led up to Biederman’s death. The emergency exit alarm system only goes off if the person trying to leave is wearing an alarm bracelet.

Keep in mind that if you or a loved have been victims to assisted living abuse or neglect, an experienced attorney may be able to assist you. At McIver Brown Law Firm, our Texas assisted living abuse attorneys are here to answer any questions you have. Give us a call today for a free consultation.

Source:

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/health_med_fit/assisted-living-facility-cited-in-resident-s-death/article_6bd9ae9c-a7b1-5350-89b7-dbae3d70da3a.html