| The second, and generally far more expensive | | | | Tennessee Department of Human Services' (DHS) |
| type, is a 'made to measure' or 'curved track | | | | Division of Protective Services has a staff of only |
| stairlift' which can travel around bends on the | | | | 83 to cover Tennessee's 95 counties. Juxtaposed |
| stairs and can be made to run on to the landing. | | | | this way, the Associated Press story implied that |
| Prices vary according to the length of the stairs, | | | | abuse of the elderly in Tennessee is growing, the |
| the number of bends and the complexity of the | | | | state has far too few resources devoted to the |
| bends. | | | | problem, and by implication the state needs to |
| It is worth noting that although far more | | | | rearrange its priorities and spend more, much |
| expensive, the resale value is negligible, as the rail | | | | more, on adult protective services. |
| is made to measure and can only be re-installed | | | | This perspective was echoed by state Rep. David |
| on an identical staircase. | | | | Shephard, D-Dickson, who was quoted in the |
| Curved track stairlifts can be fitted on either side | | | | article as saying, "We are looking at a problem |
| of the stairs, the layout of your staircase will | | | | that is going to get bigger as medical advances |
| determine which is most suitable. If you need a | | | | continue and people live longer." State Rep. Dennis |
| curved track stairlift you will need to pay a | | | | Ferguson, D-Kingston, who chairs the House |
| deposit to the company that you are dealing with. | | | | Health and Human Resources Committee, shifted |
| This will normally be about 30% of the cost of | | | | the focus to preventing fraud perpetrated on the |
| the lift. The deposit is required because the | | | | elderly: "A lot of time people are getting old and |
| company are committing themselves to building a | | | | they don't have a family and people take |
| stairlift rail that will only fit into your house. You | | | | advantage of that. They go over and say 'We |
| should not have to pay a large deposit if you | | | | want to help you' and the first thing you know is |
| order a standard straight lift as these can usually | | | | they have their checking account and run through |
| be adapted to suit another staircase. | | | | their money." |
| In certain circumstances it is possible to fit a | | | | While it is true that fraud and other scams |
| straight stairlift on stairs that have a turn at the | | | | perpetrated against the elderly is a serious and |
| top. For example if you have a straight run of | | | | growing national problem, the extent of physical |
| stairs with three steps winding onto the landing. | | | | abuse and neglect of the elderly in Tennessee |
| Or a straight flight and a quarter landing with two | | | | needs further scrutiny. The source of the |
| more steps, a folding platform stairlift could be | | | | Associated Press's "40% increase" figure is none |
| the solution. A straight stairlift is installed with | | | | other than the Tennessee DHS. After reviewing |
| extended legs, so the footrest stops in line with | | | | how DHS classifies complaints, reasonable people |
| the landing. A solid wooden platform is then built | | | | may conclude that DHS is not properly closing its |
| around the footrest of the lift. This platform can | | | | cases. |
| then be used to walk safely onto the landing. The | | | | In the spirit of the Health Insurance Portability and |
| platform is hinged so that it can be folded back | | | | Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), The |
| against the wall to enable other people in the | | | | Tennessee Law Times has constructed the |
| house to use the stairs. | | | | following composite scenario based on actual |
| It is also possible to have a powered platform so | | | | cases that we have investigated and verified are |
| the user doesn't have to bend to raise it. Please | | | | true. This composite scenario respects the |
| note that the folding platform option is not | | | | privacy rights of both medical patients and DHS |
| suitable for everyone. If you are prone to dizzy | | | | staff, who may not want to be identified by |
| spells or feinting or if you have very poor mobility | | | | name. The paper recognizes that some DHS staff |
| this is not a viable option. Seek independent | | | | may have been directed to take actions that |
| advice. | | | | violated their own sense of ethical standards and |
| The second, and generally far more expensive | | | | fair play. |
| type, is a 'made to measure' or 'curved track | | | | Composite Case. An elderly patient with a broken |
| stairlift' which can travel around bends on the | | | | hip was placed in a nursing home to recuperate |
| stairs and can be made to run on to the landing. | | | | following his hip repair surgery. The orthopedic |
| Prices vary according to the length of the stairs, | | | | surgeon initially places orders for nurses that the |
| the number of bends and the complexity of the | | | | patient should not place weight on the leg |
| bends. | | | | associated with the repaired hip. Over time the |
| It is worth noting that although far more | | | | surgeon changes the orders to allow 25% weight |
| expensive, the resale value is negligible, as the rail | | | | bearing, then 50% weight bearing, as the bone |
| is made to measure and can only be re-installed | | | | heals and the patient needs more physical |
| on an identical staircase. | | | | therapy. Eventually, the surgeon is to allow full |
| Curved track stairlifts can be fitted on either side | | | | weight bearing on the leg with the repaired hip. |
| of the stairs, the layout of your staircase will | | | | Through negligence of the nursing home, the |
| determine which is most suitable. If you need a | | | | patient is not brought to the surgeon for a |
| curved track stairlift you will need to pay a | | | | scheduled follow-up appointment. Consequently, |
| deposit to the company that you are dealing with. | | | | the surgeon's 50% weight-bearing instruction is |
| This will normally be about 30% of the cost of | | | | left on the patient's chart long after the doctor's |
| the lift. The deposit is required because the | | | | order has become stale and the patient is seen |
| company are committing themselves to building a | | | | walking on his own without assistance using both |
| stairlift rail that will only fit into your house. You | | | | legs. |
| should not have to pay a large deposit if you | | | | A family member visits the patient in the nursing |
| order a standard straight lift as these can usually | | | | home and helps him walk by providing assistance |
| be adapted to suit another staircase. | | | | with his arm. A physical therapist at the nursing |
| PART I: Physical Abuse of the Elderly vs. | | | | home and his assistant witness the patient walking |
| Tennessee DHS Abuse of Families | | | | with the family member, and they claim the |
| During the week of October 26, 2003, | | | | family member was encouraging the patient to |
| newspapers across the state of Tennessee | | | | put full weight on his leg. The following day a social |
| published an Associated Press story that featured | | | | worker at the nursing home phones in a complaint |
| the glaring news headline, "Reports of neglect and | | | | to the Tennessee DHS Adult Protective Services |
| abuse of senior citizens up 40% in six years." The | | | | unit. |
| second sentence of the story indicated the | | | | |
