Bellingham nursing assistant accused of bilking elderly patients

POSTED: Monday, Jan. 09, 2012


Bellingham nursing assistant accused of bilking elderly patients

RALPH SCHWARTZ - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

BELLINGHAM - A nursing assistant accused of improper business dealings with former patients could face sanctions from the state Department of Health.

Jacob Elijah Talamante, 30, accepted a $200 payment to do landscaping work in 2010 for two of his patients, ages 77 and 73 at the time. Talamante never finished the job, Health Department spokeswoman Allison Cook said.

The department also claims Talamante used the patients' utility trailer and debit card without permission. These incidents prompted the department to charge Talamante with unprofessional conduct, which could lead to sanctions including refusal to renew his license.

Talamante cared for the patients in their home while working for Home Attendant Care, Inc., of Bellingham. He was fired from the job around May 26, according to the Health Department, about two months after his nursing-assistant credential expired.

Home Attendant Care staff reported Talamante to the Bellingham police and the Health Department, agency Director Debbie Gann said. Police couldn't track him down, Gann said.

"The good news is our clients had support, had an advocate," Gann said. "We were able to make restitution to our clients for the minimal effect (Talamante) was able to have on them."

Talamante could not be reached for comment. He did not respond to the Health Department's charges by the Wednesday, Jan. 4 deadline, so he is subject to discipline by the department.
 
Please read complete article at link below:
 
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/01/09/2339523/bellingham-nursing-assistant-accused.html