Akron Family Sues Wyant Woods Care Center for Mother’s Death

Death from falls and systemic neglect. That’s what a lawsuit filed by Eadie Hill Trial Lawyers claims. On August 4, 2017 Myrtle Brooks fell and broke her hip at Wyant Woods Care Center. She died a week later. The Summit County Medical Examiner, Lisa Kohler, M.D., concluded that her death was caused by the fall and broken hip.

An Akron family claims their mother died from systemic neglect at Wyant Woods Care Center. Photo credit: communicarehealth.com

According to the lawsuit, this was not the first time Myrtle Brooks fell at Wyant Woods. Rather, she fell dozens of times due to understaffing and neglect. Myrtle suffered dementia. Dementia is a condition that affects memory and cognition in older adults. Several million older Americans have some form of dementia.

Dementia can cause people to fall because they don’t understand their limitations and sometimes will attempt to do things–like walk–that are not safe for them. It is critical that nursing homes that accept dementia patients have the staff needed to supervise residents and prevent injuries.

You can read the lawsuit here.

Systemic Understaffing at Wyant Woods

Nursing homes receive money from Medicare. As a result, “Wyant Woods is required to report significant amounts of data to the federal agency that oversees operations of nursing homes receiving federal or state funding, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or ‘Medicare.’ ”

The lawsuit alleges that:

Defendants failed to ensure, through their operational, budgetary, consultation and managerial decisions and actions, that Wyant Woods was sufficiently staffed to meet the individual needs of Myrtle Brooks.

Defendants engaged in a systemic practice to understaff its nursing home facility to maximize its profits at the expense of its residents’ care.

This lack of sufficient staff directly resulted in Myrtle Brooks not receiving basic and necessary services to prevent, among other things, neglect leading to repeated falls between June 2016 and August 2017, including the last fall on August 4, 2017 that caused her to break her femur and die.

Misleading Advertising

The lawsuit alleges that Wyant Woods and its parent company–Communicare–mislead potential customers about the levels of services it is capable of providing to residents. The lawsuit states, that “[i]n an effort to persuade the families of patients with memory care disorders to become customers, Defendants make promises to the families of such potential residents that they will provide a level of care that they know they are incapable of providing.”

The lawsuit goes on to state the following:

For example, Defendants state on their website the following information:

“Wyant Woods Care Center offers person-centered memory care to Akron residents through our Connections memory care program. Our specially-trained staff are Certified Connections Practitioners who help residents reconnect with their past, present and to the things and people they know and love through stimulating activities aligned to their particular needs. Connections was designed by leading experts in the industry with evidence-based practices that provide the highest quality of life for residents.” http://www.communicarehealth.com/facility/wyant-woods-care-center/

However, the lawsuit alleges that Wyant Woods does not inform its residents or their families of the following issues relating to staffing.

Staffing Ratings

Wyant Woods is a 1-star facility according to Medicare’s staffing ratings, meaning that it has the worst rating for nursing care staffing possible.

Registered Nurse Staffing

The national and state average for registered nursing time available in a particular day for each resident is 51 and 50 minutes, respectively. This means that for the average nursing home facility in Ohio or across the country, if you take the total amount of hours registered nurses are paid to work during a given day and divide that time by the number of residents in the facility, there would be approximately 50 minutes of time registered nurses could spend with each resident per day.

But at Wyant Woods there is only on average 31 minutes of registered nursing time available per day for each resident.

The amount of registered nursing time available at Wyant Woods Manor is actually less than 31 minutes per resident each day because these figures take into account all time nurses are being paid—including breaks, vacations, holidays, and personal time off—and is not limited to the time they are actually at Wyant Woods Care Center providing nursing care.

Nursing Assistant and Aide Staffing

Wyant Woods also falls far short in the amount of nursing assistant or aide time available for its residents. The national and state average for nursing assistant or nursing aide time per resident is 2 hours and 27 minutes (national) and 2 hours and 17 minutes (Ohio) per day. This means that if you take the total amount of time all nursing assistants or aides worked per day and divided it by the total number of nursing home residents in the facility, the state and national average is close to two-and-a-half hours of nursing assistant / aide time available for each resident per day.

But at Wyant Woods there is only 1 hour and 38 minutes of available nursing assistant / aide time available per resident per day—approximately half the national average.

In addition to having severely deficient staffing levels, Defendants also fail to mention that the amount they pay those staff members is nearly 30-40% less than the industry average meaning not only is Wyant Woods severely understaffed, the available staff is underpaid and overburdened.

Not only is Wyant Woods understaffed, it has approximately twice as many residents to care for as comparable facilities. Wyant Woods resident census—the number of beds occupied in the facility—is 161 residents and is more than double the Ohio average (76.9 residents) and nearly double the national average (85.3 residents).

The lawsuit claims that “[t]he intent and outcome of this misleading practice is to cause residents, their families, and external care providers to believe the nursing facility is much better staffed than it is.”

What’s the Purpose of a Nursing Home Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

The family has instituted suit against Wyant Woods and Communicare, the parent company, for wrongful death. A wrongful death lawsuit in Ohio is brought on behalf of the surviving family members. The family hopes that this lawsuit will bring awareness to mistreatment at nursing homes and will prevent future injuries to nursing homes residents.

The family has hired nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers Michael Hill and William Eadie of Eadie Hill Trial Lawyers. 

Who is Communicare?

According to its website, Communcare owns, runs, and manages rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, and Maryland. A complete list of all Communicare facilities is at the bottom of this article.

• • Addison Healthcare Center 
    8055 Addison Rd SE
    Masury, OH 44438
    Telephone: 330-448-2547
    Fax: 877-259-5073
  • Advanced Healthcare Center 
    955 Garden Lake Pkwy
    Toledo, OH 43614
    Telephone: 419-382-2200
    Fax: 419-381-8508
  • Advanced Specialty Hospitals of Toledo 
    1015 Garden Lake Pkwy
    Toledo, OH 43614
    Telephone: 419-381-0037
    Fax: 419-381-3990
  • Allison Pointe Healthcare Center 
    5226 E 82nd St
    Indianapolis, IN 46250
    Telephone: 317-842-6668
    Fax: 317-578-4113
  • Anchorage Healthcare Center 
    105 Time Sq
    Salisbury, MD 21801
    Telephone: 410-749-2474
    Fax: 410-749-6579
  • Austintown Healthcare Center 
    650 S Meridian Rd
    Youngstown, OH 44509
    Telephone: 330-792-7799
    Fax: 877-403-169
  • Baldwin Health Center 
    1717 Skyline Dr
    Pittsburgh, PA 15227
    Telephone: 412-885-8400
    Fax: 412-885-0772
  • Battlefield Park Healthcare Center
    250 Flank Rd
    Petersburg, VA 23805
    Telephone: 804-861-2223
    Fax: 804-861-8643
  • Bel Pre Health and Rehabilitation Center 
    2601 Bel Pre Rd
    Silver Spring, MD 20906
    Telephone: 301-598-6000
    Fax: 301-598-4678
  • Berea Alzheimer’s Care Center 
    49 Sheldon Rd
    Berea, OH 44017
    Telephone: 440-234-0454
    Fax: 440-234-0494
  • Blue Point Healthcare Center 
    2525 W Belvedere Ave
    Baltimore, MD 21215
    Telephone: 410-367-9100
    Fax: 410-367-9702
  • BridgePark Healthcare Center 
    4017 Liberty Heights Ave
    Baltimore, MD 21207
    Telephone: 410-542-5306
    Fax: 410-542-0086
  • BridgePort Healthcare Center 
    2125 Royce St
    Portsmouth, OH 45662
    Telephone: 740-354-6635
    Fax: 740-354-1443
  • Bridgewater Healthcare Center 
    14751 Carey Rd
    Carmel, IN 46033
    Telephone: 317-575-2208
    Fax: 317-575-6165
  • Burlington House Healthcare Center 
    2222 Springdale Rd
    Cincinnati, OH 45231
    Telephone: 513-851-7888
    Fax: 513-589-3444
  • Canfield Healthcare Center 
    2958 Canfield Rd
    Youngstown, OH 44511
    Telephone: 330-792-5511
    Fax: 877-301-3266
  • Canton Healthcare Center 
    1223 Market Avenue 44714
    Canton, OH 44714
    Telephone: 330-454-2152
    Fax: 877-230-5439
  • Cedars Healthcare Center 
    1242 Cedars Ct
    Charlottesville, VA 22903
    Telephone: 434-296-5611
    Fax: 434-296-1171
  • Chardon Healthcare Center 
    620 Water St
    Chardon, OH 44024
    Telephone: 440-285-9400
    Fax: 440-285-9378
  • Clifton Healthcare Center 
    625 Probasco St
    Cincinnati, OH 45220
    Telephone: 513-281-2464
    Fax: 513-281-2559
  • Clinton Healthcare Center 
    9211 Stuart Ln
    Clinton, MD 20735
    Telephone: 301-868-3600
    Fax: 301-856-6218
  • Columbus Healthcare Center 
    4301 Clime Rd N
    Columbus, OH 43228
    Telephone: 614-276-4400
    Fax: 614-276-5509
  • Commons at Cumberland 
    506 White Ave
    Cumberland, MD 21502
    Telephone: 301-722-5535
    Fax: 301-724-5801
  • Commons at Greenbriar 
    8060 South Ave
    Boardman, OH 44512
    Telephone: 330-758-8855
    Fax: 330-758-8433
  • Copley Health Center 
    155 Heritage Woods Dr
    Copley, OH 44321
    Telephone: 330-666-0980
    Fax: 330-666-5585
• • Crestwood Care Center 
    225 W Main St
    Shelby, OH 44875
    Telephone: 419-347-1266
    Fax: 419-342-7035
  • Crystal Creek Health and Rehabilitation Center 
    250 S New Florissant Rd
    Florissant, MO 63031
    Telephone: 314-838-2211
    Fax: 314-838-5981
  • Cumberland Healthcare Center 
    512 Winifred Rd
    Cumberland, MD 21502
    Telephone: 301-724-6066
    Fax: 301-724-0129
  • Dixon Healthcare Center 
    135 Reichart Ave
    Wintersville, OH 43952
    Telephone: 740-264-1155
    Fax: 877-292-0653
  • Eagle Creek Healthcare Center 
    4102 Shore Dr
    Indianapolis, IN 46254
    Telephone: 317-347-9051
    Fax: 317-347-9065
  • Ellicott City Healthcare Center 
    3000 N. Ridge Rd
    Ellicott City, MD 21043
    Telephone: 410-461-7577
    Fax: 410-461-6695
  • Evergreen Healthcare Center 
    924 Charlie’s Way
    Montpelier, OH 43543
    Telephone: 419-485-8307
    Fax: 877-301-3452
  • Falling Water Healthcare Center 
    18840 Falling Water Rd
    Strongsville, OH 44136
    Telephone: 440-238-1100
    Fax: 440-238-9575
  • Fayette Health and Rehabilitation Center 
    1217 W Fayette St
    Baltimore, MD 21223
    Telephone: 410-727-3947
    Fax: 410-385-5886
  • Forestville Health and Rehabilitation Center 
    7420 Marlboro Pike
    Forestville, MD 20747
    Telephone: 301-736-0240
    Fax: 301-736-9366
  • Fort Washington Health Center 
    12021 Livingston Rd
    Fort Washington, MD 20744
    Telephone: 301-292-0300
    Fax: 301-292-2986
  • Garden Valley Healthcare Center
    8575 N Granby Ave
    Kansas City, MO 64154
    Telephone: 816-436-8575
    Fax: 816-436-0585
  • Grande Lake Healthcare Center 
    1209 Indiana Ave
    St Marys, OH 45885
    Telephone: 419-394-7611
    Fax: 877-396-5260
  • Grande Pointe Healthcare Community 
    3 Merit Dr
    Richmond Heights, OH 44143
    Telephone: 216-261-9600
    Fax: 216-261-9662
  • Great Lakes Healthcare Center 
    2300 Great Lakes Dr
    Dyer, IN 46311
    Telephone: 219-322-3555
    Fax: 219-865-4028
  • Green Park Senior Living Community 
    9350 Green Park Rd
    Saint Louis, MO 63123
    Telephone: 314-845-0900
    Fax: 314-845-0901
  • Greenbriar Healthcare Center 
    8064 South Ave #1
    Boardman, OH 44512
    Telephone: 330-726-3700
    Fax: 330-726-2194
  • Greenbrier Healthcare Center 
    6455 Pearl Rd
    Parma Heights, OH 44130
    Telephone: 440-888-5900
    Fax: 440-888-0976
  • Greenfield Healthcare Center 
    200 Green Meadows Dr
    Greenfield, IN 46140
    Telephone: 317-462-3311
    Fax: 317-462-8412
  • Greenwood Healthcare Center 
    377 Westridge Blvd
    Greenwood, IN 46142
    Telephone: 317-888-4948
    Fax: 317-885-5085
  • Hagerstown Healthcare Center 
    750 Dual Highway
    Hagerstown, MD 21740
    Telephone: 301-797-4020
    Fax: 301-797-2956
  • Hanover Healthcare Center 
    435 Avis Ave NW
    Massillon, OH 44646
    Telephone: 330-837-1741
    Fax: 330-837-1747
  • Harrison Healthcare Center 
    150 Beechmont Dr
    Corydon, IN 47112
    Telephone: 812-738-0550
    Fax: 812-738-6273
  • Holly Hill Healthcare Center 
    531 Stevenson Ln
    Towson, MD 21286
    Telephone: 410-823-5310
    Fax: 410-505-1238
  • Homestead Healthcare Center 
    2317 East Home Rd
    Springfield, OH 45503
    Telephone: 937-399-9217
    Fax: 877-342-1520
  • Indian Creek Healthcare Center 
    240 Beechmont Dr
    Corydon, IN 47112
    Telephone: 812-738-8127
    Fax: 812-738-3161
  • Kensington Healthcare Center 
    3000 McComas Ave
    Kensington, MD 20895
    Telephone: 301-933-0060
    Fax: 301-933-4884
  • Kokomo Healthcare Center 
    429 W Lincoln Rd
    Kokomo, IN 46902
    Telephone: 765-453-5600
    Fax: 765-455-0110
  • Lake Pointe Health Center 
    3364 Kolbe Rd
    Lorain, OH 44053
    Telephone: 440-282-2244
    Fax: 440-282-2280
  • Laurelwood Healthcare Center 
    100 Laurel Dr
    Elkton, MD 21921
    Telephone: 410-398-8800
    Fax: 410-398-4592
  • Maple Wood Healthcare Center 
    724 NE 79th Terrace
    Kansas City, MO 64118
    Telephone: 816-436-8940
    Fax: 816-436-9289
  • Marley Neck Health and Rehabilitation Center 
    7575 E Howard Rd
    Glen Burnie, MD 21060
    Telephone: 410-768-8200
    Fax: 410-768-2954
  • Mount Vernon Healthcare Center
    8111 Tis Well Dr
    Alexandria, VA 22306
    Telephone: 703-360-4000
    Fax: 703-780-6438
  • Northwest Healthcare Center 
    4601 Pall Mall Rd
    Baltimore, MD 21215
    Telephone: 410-664-5551
    Fax: 410-664-1068
  • Northwestern Healthcare Center 
    570 N Rocky River Dr
    Berea, OH 44017
    Telephone: 440-243-2122
    Fax: 440-243-8588
  • Oak Grove Healthcare Center 
    620 E Water St
    Deshler, OH 43516
    Telephone: 419-278-6921
    Fax: 419-278-2910
  • Pebble Creek 
    670 Jarvis Rd
    Akron, OH 44319
    Telephone: 330-645-0200
    Fax: 330-645-0316
  • Petersburg Healthcare Center 
    287 South Blvd
    Petersburg, VA 23805
    Telephone: 804-733-1190
    Fax: 804-732-5994
  • Pine Valley Care Center 
    4360 Brecksville Rd
    Richfield, OH 44286
    Telephone: 330-659-6166
    Fax: 330-659-2944
  • Riverside Healthcare Center 
    1390 King Tree Dr
    Dayton, OH 45405
    Telephone: 937-278-0723
    Fax: 937-276-8675
  • Rolling Hills Healthcare Center 
    3625 St. Joseph Rd
    New Albany, IN 47150
    Telephone: 812-948-0670
    Fax: 812-948-6222
  • Salem East Healthcare Center 
    230 Continental Dr
    Salem, OH 44460
    Telephone: 330-337-9503
    Fax: 877-290-6786
  • Salem North Healthcare Center 
    250 Continental Dr
    Salem, OH 44460
    Telephone: 330-337-9503
    Fax: 877-290-6786
  • Salem West Healthcare Center 
    2511 Bentley Drive
    Salem, OH 44460
    Telephone: admissionsalem@chs-corp.com
    Fax: 877-290-6786
  • Sellersburg Healthcare Center 
    7823 Old State Rd 60
    Sellersburg, IN 47172
    Telephone: 812-246-4272
    Fax: 812-246-8160
  • Sleepy Hollow Healthcare Center 
    6700 Columbia Pike
    Annandale, VA 22003
    Telephone: 703-256-7000
    Fax: 703-462-7513
  • South River Health and Rehabilitation Center 
    144 Washington Rd
    Edgewater, MD 21037
    Telephone: 410-956-5000
    Fax: 410-956-0470
  • SouthPointe Healthcare Center 
    4904 War Admiral Dr
    Indianapolis, IN 46237
    Telephone: 317-885-3333
    Fax: 317-883-3221
  • Southwood Healthcare Center 
    2222 Margaret Ave
    Terre Haute, IN 47802
    Telephone: 812-232-2223
    Fax: 812-231-4550
  • The Colony Healthcare Center 
    563 Colony Park Dr
    Tallmadge, OH 44278
    Telephone: 330-630-9780
    Fax: 877-403-4594
  • The Pines Healthcare Center 
    3015 17th St NW
    Canton, OH 44697
    Telephone: 330-454-6508
    Fax: 877-403-4580
  • Valley View Healthcare Center 
    333 W Mishawaka Rd
    Elkhart, IN 46517
    Telephone: 574-293-1550
    Fax: 574-522-6359
  • Wedgewood Healthcare Center 
    101 Potters Ln
    Clarksville, IN 47129
    Telephone: 812-948-0808
    Fax: 812-948-0889
  • Westminster Healthcare Center 
    1234 Washington Rd
    Westminster, MD 21157
    Telephone: 410-848-0700
    Fax: 410-848-0682
  • Wexford Healthcare Center 
    9850 Old Perry Hwy
    Wexford, PA 15090
    Telephone: 412-366-7900
    Fax: 412-366-8768
  • Wildwood Healthcare Center 
    7301 E 16th St
    Indianapolis, IN 46219
    Telephone: 317-353-1290
    Fax: 317-351-2579
  • Willow Tree Healthcare Center 
    1263 S George St
    Charles Town, WV 25414
    Telephone: 304-725-6575
    Fax: 304-725-8213
  • Wood Glen Alzheimer’s Community 
    3800 Summit Glen Rd
    Dayton, OH 45449
    Telephone: 937-436-2273
    Fax: 937-433-2017
  • Worthington Healthcare Center 
    2675 36th St
    Parkersburg, WV 26104
    Telephone: 304-485-7447
  • Wyant Woods Care Center 
    200 Wyant Rd
    Akron, OH 44313
    Telephone: 330-836-7953
    Fax: 330-836-6806