In recent years nursing home abuse and other forms of elder abuse have come under increased scrutiny as the baby boom generation reaches retirement age and is confronted with the need for assisted-living care. Each year, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services publishes an Elder Abuse and Neglect Report, which…
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Wisconsin Task Force Targets Elder Abuse
Wisconsin’s population aged 65 and older is projected to increase by nearly 100 percent between 2010 and 2040, according to recent data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). With these sizeable demographic changes on the horizon, Wisconsin is taking steps to limit elder abuse, including nursing home neglect…
Madison’s Most Dangerous Intersections for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Despite efforts to improve intersection crosswalks and expand bike paths, crashes involving motor vehicles and pedestrians or bicyclists remain problematic in Madison. And a recent report from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Traffic Operations and Safety (TOPS) Laboratory indicates that a major reason for these continued—and often fatal—collisions is that many…
Wisconsin Moves to Revoke License of Sun Prairie Care Center
Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services has moved to revoke the license of Faith Gardens, a Sun Prairie assisted-living center where a resident was found dead last December. In its motion, the state cited problems caring for several residents. According to a Wisconsin State Journal article on the matter, Faith Gardens…
Nursing Homes vs. Other Care Facilities in Wisconsin
Choosing between a nursing home and another type of care facility can be a daunting task for families. What level of care does your loved one need? What are the differences between nursing homes and other assisted-care centers? How can you be sure a facility is safe? We entrust nursing…
Elder Care Impacts Women’s Ability to Work
A recent New York Time article discussed the reasons behind lower rates of women participating in the workforce around the turn of the century, after 50 years of steadily increasing numbers. The consensus seemed to be the fact that women primarily care for children, and many of them have left the…
Rural Roads and Motor Vehicle Accidents
While you might think of motor vehicle accidents being more likely to occur on traffic-packed, narrow urban streets, the opposite is actually true. Despite the prevalence of rush hour traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists that may be more difficult to see in urban areas, the majority of highway fatalities from car…
What Should I Do if I Am Pregnant and Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident?
Being involved in any motor vehicle accident is frightening, but being pregnant and involved in a car crash can be even more distressing. Car accidents pose unique threats to pregnant women that may not be present for other drivers and passengers. As a result, if you are pregnant and involved…
Most SNF Residents Eligible for Palliative Care Don’t Receive It
Palliative care is specialized medical care for individuals who have been diagnosed with a serious illness, with the goal of providing them with a better quality of life. According to a study conducted by researchers at UC San Francisco (UCSF), almost 70% of nursing home residents are eligible for palliative…
The Dangers of Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving, which is also commonly referred to as road rage, encompasses driving behaviors that are motivated by anger, regardless of safety concerns. Some typical kinds of aggressive driving behaviors include tailgating, speeding, failing to use turn signals, flashing headlights, weaving through traffic, and cutting off other drivers. Aggressive drivers…