Santa Clara, California

Welcome to the Law Offices of Ben Yeroushalmi’s elder abuse and neglect website for the city of Santa Clara. Our team of experts and attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of the elderly, particularly those who have been victims of abuse and neglect in a long-term care facility.

Santa Clara is located in the County of Santa Clara and was given its name after the Spanish mission that was built in 1777. Santa Clara is the 9th most populated city in the San Francisco Bay Area with a population of 116, 468, according to the 2010 United States Census. There are 2 assisted living facilities and 2 nursing home facilities in Santa Clara.

In order to provide proper quality of care to older adult residents in nursing home facilities, communication is key.  Unfortunately, very little social interaction occurs between nursing home residents and staff even though they are frequently in each other’s company.  In fact, interaction occurs for only 10.7% of the time nursing aides spend in the nursing home and communication is generally neutral and task-oriented rather than positive and personal.  With studies that prove that effective communication contributes to a higher quality of life, a decrease in depression rates, and lower frequencies of verbal and physical aggression by nursing home residents, it is unfortunate that long-term care staff do not take advantage of this opportunity.

Nursing home staff commonly use an over-accommodating tone when communicating with nursing home residents, which includes high pitch, exaggerated intonation, simplified grammar, and slow speech.  Stereotypes regarding the competencies of residents with dementia further exaggerate this communication style.  Residents are often talked to rather than talked with because they are not perceived as interaction partners.  Although well intentioned, this practice of speech degrades self-confidence among nursing home residents and hastens long-term mental and physical decline due to little high-quality interactions.

Several recent studies have proven the benefits of intervention strategies to enhance communication between nursing home staff and residents with dementia.  A communication training program advised nursing home staff participants to adopt new, facilitating rather than directing, roles and utilized new communication skills that matched the level and individual needs of the older individual they were talking to.  Nursing home staff utilized short instructions, positive speech, and biographical statements because they are relatively easy to teach and do not require a lot of time.  This approach not only empowered the nursing home residents being talked to, optimizing their well-being and level of cognitive functioning, it also enhanced communication skills.  Additionally, the intervention resulted in an increase in the quantity and quality of communication.  Verbal interactions between nursing home staff and residents increased after training.  Communication style also became more positive, social, and personal.

Many nursing home residents who suffer from degenerative memory loss and problems with learning and communication often feel frustrated with their cognitive impairments and resort to agitated and problem behaviors.  Staff should be trained to understand the causes of these behaviors and learn strategies for adequately responding to them by using more appropriate combination techniques.  This will result in better quantity and quality of communication between residents and staff, as well as improved well-being among nursing home residents.

If you or someone you care about has been abused or neglected in a nursing home or assisted living facility, please contact us immediately for a free consultation.

Client Reviews
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Excellent staff and the epitome of genuine, honest, and beyond helpful. I was lost and running out of time until I found Yeroushalmi law office. I am beyond grateful and had the pleasure of working with such amazing people who look out for your best interest. Anonymous review
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Ben Yeroushalmi accepted my case with much understanding and patience. He went above and beyond with the defense lawyers to reach a fair settlement. He explained the complete case process (as I had never filed a case with anyone) Ben kept my sister and I notified of every email or correspondence he had with the opposing council. Gloria
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Ben is an outstanding litigator, and human being. He took on our case, as if it was his own. He paid close attention to details. His guidance was invaluable. He was very clear and concise, in explaining all potential scenarios to us. He spoke eloquently, and straight to the point at all times. Ben is a true professional, with a passion for his craft. Anonymous review
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I had a heartfelt and memorable experience with Ben , very genuine and I can tell he loves what he does. His determination shows beautifully and it is amazing. In my opinion it is very rare you find people who love what they're doing and it shows. Not wanting to get religious on an review but, God introduced me to Ben for a reason. Summer
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All around GREAT experienced under the circumstances. Special thanks to Devon Wright she did exceptional work for our case. Anonymous review
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Mr Yeroushalmi was our lawyer for a case involving my mother who was a victim of elderly abuse while in a nursing home. He and his team did an excellent job. My mother was able to live comfortably for the remaining years of her life due to the results of our case. I highly recommend Mr Ben Yeroushalmi. Danny
★★★★★
Mr. Yeroushalmi had provided his legal services for my father's medical injury case. Through mr. Yeroushlmi's excellent services, my family could make informed decisions during the entire course of legal proceedings. Thanks for the professional and responsive services. I strongly recommend Mr. Yeroushimi as your legal advisior. He is the one you can rely on. Thanks. Samuel
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Mr. Yeroushalmi provide excellent representation After my husband passed away from complications due to Alzheimer's. It was a complex case and I was always informed of the progression of the case. The office staff offers the personal touch and patience with my constant phone calls and questions. I highly recommend Ben and his staff if you are looking for an aggressive attorney with high ethics and great attention to details. Terry