November 16, 2021

Authorities say the owner of an unlicensed elder care facility in California has been sentenced to four years in prison for her role in the neglect and death of an 83-year-old veteran.

On Friday, the owner of Regency Care, Ayette Loo, in Seal Beach, was sentenced in Orange County after previously pleading guilty to felony elder abuse, as per the state officials.

Marina Jacome, a Regency caregiver, was sentenced to two years in prison last month.

Her sentence was suspended and provided that she completes two years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and no longer working as a caregiver. Another caregiver faces an arrest warrant in the case.

What is Elder Abuse in California?

Abuse of the elderly in nursing homes can happen in a variety of ways. Abuse can take many forms, including physical, mental, emotional, financial, and sexual. Abuse is often physical or the result of neglect. In addition, it can appear as:

  • Unexplained injuries
  • Bedsores, pressure sores, and skin ulcers that do not heal
  • Burns
  • Unexplained infections and ineffective infection control
  • Bruises
  • Dehydration
  • Septic shock
  • Malnutrition
  • Clogged breathing tubes
  • Errors in medications
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Unsupervised wandering or leaving the facility
  • Unexplained falls
  • Rapid weight loss
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Emotional and Agitation withdrawal on the part of the patient
  • The inability of caregivers to explain a condition or an accident

 

Common types of physical abuse include:

  • Hitting
  • Beating
  • Slapping
  • Punching
  • Burning
  • Pinching
  • Kicking
  • Scratching
  • Inappropriate use of drugs or restraints
  • Forced feeding

 

Verbal Abuse can include:

  • Yelling, screaming, and hollering
  • Threatening
  • Name-calling
  • Bullying
  • Choking

 

Abuse of the elderly can also include stealing from patients or asking for money from them. It can even include without consent sexual abuse, such as:

  • Inappropriate touching
  • Intercourse
  • Rape
  • Showing the patient pornography
  • Forcing the patient to undress without reason

Failure or refusal to provide needed services, such as not dispensing prescribed medications or performing the therapies required, can also be considered physical abuse.

Elder Abuse Lawyers

Elder abuse victims are entitled to compensation under the Elder Abuse Protection Act for any type of abuse, neglect, or recklessness on the part of nursing home personnel. In addition, you have the right to file for damages against each healthcare provider who was involved in the abuse.

The Elder Abuse Protection Act protects elderly victims, but it is better to hire an experienced California elder abuse lawyer to assist you to prevail in court and get the maximum compensation you are due.

If you or your loved one have been a victim of elder abuse, contact us today at (951) 461-2387.