This is a petition that will be used to attempt to have a law passed that would put a stop to and prevent the abuse that is being done to Elderly Patients in Virginia's Nursing/Rehabilitation Homes. The awful sad fact is that the Staff employed by these facilities are severely abusing the Elderly Patients and withholding medical care. I have witnessed personally several cases, my Grandmother, Virginia Ruth Collins, being one, where they inflict violent acts on these Patients and the ones who try to tell end up with head injuries and become instantly unresponsive. This also happened to my Grandmother.
This law will require the State of Virginia to employee Patient Advocates that will remain present in every Virginia Nursing/Rehabilitation Homes. These advocates have nothing at all to do with these facilities or the Staff. These Advocates will be required by law to physically monitor every Patient. This law will give them the right to speak with the Patient without any Staff present. It will give them the right to speak with the family members and Physicians of every Patient. Each Patient will have an individual file and the Advocates will be required to monitor and record how the Patients are being treated, how often they are bathed, changing of diapers and clothing, all personal hygiene, medications taken and monitor how often taken to ensure that every Patient is being given their prescribed medications properly as prescribed, how often each Patient is visited by a licensed Physician, and they will also be required to note all marks, bruises and cuts or any other sign of any type of physical abuse. Advocates will be required by law to report every  Patient that have physical signs of abuse on any level to local authorities as well as to the required State Officials. The Advocates will have the right by law to file official charges against any Staff on behalf of the Patient regardless of whether family members wish to or not and to present all evidence in a court of law.
There would be 6 Advocates per facility, working 2 as a team every 8 hours to complete a 24 hour day. These Advocates will be present 7 days a weeks. Advocates will have to sign a contract agreeing not to accept anything from any staff member and will be required to remain a part from and uninvolved in every way with the staff members employed by the facility.
Patient Advocates will be there solely to prevent àny and all types of abuse towards the Patients by staff members and to ensure that Patients are receiving proper care as well as regular medical attention by à Physician.
I ask that you will please sign this Petition as well as share it with others. The faster we get at least 1,000 signatures, the faster we give these Elderly Patients the life that they deserve without abuse and neglect.
Thank you