LOCAL WOMAN STRANGLED IN NURSING HOME by Donna Stewart
Why is it that local media does not report on issues that the community should be aware of? Do they ignore stories that project a corporation in which they have a vested interest in in a bad light? It is beginning to seem so in Coos Bay.
Around 9PM on May 28th, Anne Haskins, a resident of Hearthside (Avamere Rehabilitation Center) was strangled by another resident. Anne is confined to a wheelchair and is cognitively impaired. She suffers from Huntington's Disease.
On this night over a week ago, Anne - who should have been put to bed before 8PM - wandered into another residents room. If you are familiar with Huntington's Disease, this is not uncommon. But Anne should have been monitored while she was awake, as should the other resident, who had a history of lashing out. The other resident, who suffers from severe dementia, ripped a call light cord from the wall and brutally strangled Anne. She was rushed by ambulance to Bay Area Hospital where her heart rate dropped to 30 beats per minute.
Anne had been a resident of Hearthside since 2009. This incident, along with bedsores point to neglect. Having worked at Hearthside myself, in the Alzheimer's Unit, I can say there is no excuse for this, or anything of this nature, to happen if caregivers are aware of their surroundings, familiar with their residents and their diseases, and are doing their jobs.
Though Bay Area Hospital employees encourage Anne's daughter Rebecca Ambrose, to return to to Hearthside, Rebecca knew that was not even something to be considered. Anne is now in good hands at a home in Myrtle Point. Her heart rate is still hovering at 50 beats per minute.
Over the next few weeks I will talk more with Rebecca Ambrose and continue this story; a story that was blatantly ignored by The World Newspaper as well as news outlet KCBY. And, with Rebecca's help, I will familiarize our readers with the often misunderstood Huntington's Disease.
CCN vows to give you the full story, information on Huntington's Disease, and how to interact with those with cognitive disabilities. And we will let you get to know Anne Haskins and her wonderful and supportive family.
Why is it that local media does not report on issues that the community should be aware of? Do they ignore stories that project a corporation in which they have a vested interest in in a bad light? It is beginning to seem so in Coos Bay.
Around 9PM on May 28th, Anne Haskins, a resident of Hearthside (Avamere Rehabilitation Center) was strangled by another resident. Anne is confined to a wheelchair and is cognitively impaired. She suffers from Huntington's Disease.
On this night over a week ago, Anne - who should have been put to bed before 8PM - wandered into another residents room. If you are familiar with Huntington's Disease, this is not uncommon. But Anne should have been monitored while she was awake, as should the other resident, who had a history of lashing out. The other resident, who suffers from severe dementia, ripped a call light cord from the wall and brutally strangled Anne. She was rushed by ambulance to Bay Area Hospital where her heart rate dropped to 30 beats per minute.
Anne had been a resident of Hearthside since 2009. This incident, along with bedsores point to neglect. Having worked at Hearthside myself, in the Alzheimer's Unit, I can say there is no excuse for this, or anything of this nature, to happen if caregivers are aware of their surroundings, familiar with their residents and their diseases, and are doing their jobs.
Though Bay Area Hospital employees encourage Anne's daughter Rebecca Ambrose, to return to to Hearthside, Rebecca knew that was not even something to be considered. Anne is now in good hands at a home in Myrtle Point. Her heart rate is still hovering at 50 beats per minute.
Over the next few weeks I will talk more with Rebecca Ambrose and continue this story; a story that was blatantly ignored by The World Newspaper as well as news outlet KCBY. And, with Rebecca's help, I will familiarize our readers with the often misunderstood Huntington's Disease.
CCN vows to give you the full story, information on Huntington's Disease, and how to interact with those with cognitive disabilities. And we will let you get to know Anne Haskins and her wonderful and supportive family.