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Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
It wasn't your imagination: May was the fifth wettest on record in NJ
After a long period of drought, New Jersey saw the fifth wettest May on record, according to a spring 2025 recap from the state climatologist's office. With all the rain that May provided, New Jersey reservoirs that supply drinking water to residents have been almost completely restored, said David Robinson, a Rutgers professor and the state climatologist. New Jersey is nearly out of its drought period and has sufficient reservoir levels for the hotter summer months ahead — and more rain is expected in the next few days. 'The Department of Environmental Protection is still cautious about this, and they have still retained the state in a drought warning primarily because the groundwater is being slow to respond, particularly in South Jersey,' Robinson 2024 was the driest in the state dating back to 1895, when records were first kept. New Jersey had not only the driest October on record, but it was the driest of any month in the state since 1895, Robinson said. The lack of precipitation in the fall and winter months were the result of patterns of precipitation in New England and around the Great Lakes that were just missing New Jersey as they passed by, Robinson said. Coastal storms such as Nor'easters are also sources of moisture for the area, but they didn't come until April and May when the pattern shifted. La Niña, a storm pattern in the Pacific Ocean, is possibly a reason other coastal storms were irregular due to sea surface temperatures, atmospheric pressure and wind patterns changing, Robinson said. 'A lot of what we are talking about here and what happened in May, that's just weather patterns that are associated with the day-to-day fluctuations in circulation,' Robinson said. 'That's what makes it so difficult to unravel all of this and explain all of this.' North Jersey reservoir levels dropped to nearly 20% below average between the months of January and March, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. In April and May, those reservoirs' water levels shot up to about 10% above average. For instance, the three reservoirs operated by Veolia along the Hackensack River in Bergen County — the Oradell Reservoir, Lake Tappan and Woodcliff Lake — had dropped to just above 50% of capacity by February, and well below the historical average for that time of year. By the end of May, they had rebounded to 100% capacity. The reservoirs rely on winter to supply them with water in time for the summer, Robinson said. The just-below normal precipitation in spring slightly reduced the statewide drought, but the large amounts of rain in May were able to replenish the reservoirs. 'We should always be careful with our use of water, because New Jersey's freshwater supplies are quite finite, and they can change pretty quickly,' Robinson said. 'With just a couple of hot, dry months, we could be back into a worrisome position again. The indicators are that we won't, but better to be careful.' The area will get more rain in the next few days with stronger showers the evening of June 6 and lighter showers the evening of June 7, according to the National Weather Service. July and August are also generally the wettest months of the year, so a drought in New Jersey this summer is not likely, Robinson said. 'Patterns become more local or regional during the summer, so it's hard to get a grasp on just what's going to unfold,' he said. 'However, there is some indication that this summer will lean toward the normal to somewhat above normal precipitation pattern.' This article originally appeared on May 2025 was 5th wettest on record in NJ, as reservoirs rebound
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Staff in nursing home at centre of neglect claims ‘did not show a shred of empathy' for woman (92)
Families affected by alleged elder abuse and neglect in a Dublin nursing home have said staff 'did not show one shred of empathy or concern' for their relatives. The documentary RTÉ Investigates: Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes , broadcast this week, alleges multiple instances of mistreatment of residents at Beneavin Manor, in Glasnevin , Dublin 11. Consultant geriatrician David Robinson said the home was host to 'institutional abuse', including elderly, sometimes frail people allegedly 'being left in incontinence pads for so long their clothes were soaked'. Both Beneavin Manor and The Residence in Portlaoise, which also featured in the programme, are operated by Emeis, the largest provider of private-nursing-home beds in the State. READ MORE Rose Keeley claimed her 92-year-old mother, Mary, who has dementia and mobility issues, suffered neglect at Beneavin Manor. She said her mother was scheduled to spend a week there during a period she was unable to mind her at home. Ms Keeley said her mother entered the residential home on a Saturday morning in February 2024 and was brought to the Mater hospital the following Tuesday after suffering from dehydration and 'not being fed or given her medicine' throughout her stay. She said she grew concerned when she visited her mother at about 6pm on the Monday and found her 'in absolute darkness' in a bedroom. When she asked a member of staff why her mother had been left in that manner, she said she was told 'if she wants to fall asleep she can fall asleep'. The next day, a family friend rang Ms Keeley to tell her that her mother was 'in absolute agony' with a back ache. She said two nursing assistants - who 'did not show one shred of empathy or concern' - then tried to move her mother, who was left 'screaming in pain'. She arranged for her mother to be transported to the Mater hopspital. Ms Keeley said he mother spent six weeks at a rehabilitation facility in Clontarf following her stay in Beneavin Manor and 'never went home after that'. She is now living in a different residential home. Fianna Fáil councillor for Ballymun-Finglas Keith Connolly said the RTÉ programme raised 'obvious concerns' and highlighted issues that should not be tolerated. 'This is not the first time concerns have been raised about nursing homes on a national scale,' he said, adding that extra resources must be allocated to the sector to address such problems. After Ms Keeley raised her mother's experience of Beneavin Manor with Mr Connolly last year, he contacted the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa). He said he was told by a regional manager that 'she would be in touch with [Ms Keeley] directly'. Ms Keeley said she has yet to be contacted by Hiqa about her mother's treatment. Hiqa wrote in a statement after the RTE Investigates programme was broadcast: 'Through its inspections of these services, Hiqa identified a number of significant concerns and as part of its escalatory action had stopped admissions to one of the centres. 'Further inspection reports on both of these centres are currently being finalised and will be published shortly. However, we are very concerned about the practices described in the programme and we have engaged directly with those responsible for the operation of the nursing homes.' It did not comment on Ms Keeley's case. Emeis Ireland, which owns and operates Beneavin Manor and 26 similar residential facilities across Ireland, said it apologised 'unequivocally to all residents and their families for the suffering and distress experienced as a result of failures identified in the care provided'. Emeis Ireland said it could not comment on individual cases.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
HIQA stopped admissions to Laois nursing home featured in ‘RTÉ Investigates' programme amid concerns
RTÉ News reports that HIQA confirmed that "through its inspections" of both nursing homes it had "identified a number of significant concerns". The findings of the RTÉ investigation into two nursing homes run by Ireland's largest provider was likened to 'institutional abuse'. HIQA had stopped admissions to one of the nursing homes prior to the programme being aired last night. The 'deeply distressing' footage in RTÉ Investigates – Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes, which aired last night, details a litany of failings in two homes run by Emeis Ireland, formerly Orpea. The French-owned company has 27 privately-run facilities here, providing more than 2,400 beds. It has a global revenue of more than €5.6bn. After concerns were raised by several whistleblowers, RTÉ sent two undercover researchers to apply for healthcare assistant roles. They obtained footage from The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin. Among the breaches detailed were inadequate staffing levels, which at times left one employee looking after 23 residents, and people being refused help to go to the toilet. One resident was left on the toilet for an extended period of time with a broken call bell, after the worker went off on her break. When she was eventually tended to, the nurse was seen cleaning her hands afterwards on the resident's skirt. In another incident, an elderly man in a wheelchair pleaded to go to the toilet, only to have his request refused. He was not taken to the bathroom until 25 minutes after his first request. Reacting to the footage, consultant geriatrician David Robinson said it was 'neglect… in a setting that is supposed to be caring'. ADVERTISEMENT Staff in the Portlaoise facility were secretly filmed discussing how they had run out of incontinence pads and would not get any for another 10 days. They were told they would instead have to use 'sticky pads and underwear'. In one scene captured on camera, a nurse says 'using incorrect incontinence wear is a form of abuse' and they are 'actually causing bed sores'. This morning, HIQA confirmed that admissions to The Residence Portlaoise had been stopped "as part of its escalatory action". A spokesperson said; "further inspection reports on both of these centres are currently being finalised and will be published shortly". "We are very concerned about the practices described in the programme and we have engaged directly with those responsible for the operation of the nursing homes," the statement continued. "Accordingly, we will be taking the necessary actions with the provider to ensure safe and effective care and support to all residents". Incidents In one incident at Beneavin Manor, Glasnevin, which houses many people living with dementia, one vulnerable resident was seen being left in her wheelchair for up to six hours. When she was eventually moved, the obligatory hoist was not used. The care worker insisted that she and the undercover reporter pull the frail woman up by her clothing because 'they are not glass'. When another man requested to use the toilet, he was told to use his incontinent pad instead. The same man was later found sitting in the dayroom in urine-soaked clothing. That night, he called repeatedly for someone to help him go to the toilet, but he was again told to use his pad. The next day, he was found lying on a soaking wet bed without any sheets. Later that night, there were no bed sheets left and staff instead used incontinence pads as a makeshift covering. Professor Rónán Collins, a consultant geriatrician, said the care of this man was 'really quite distressing'. 'I can't say any more about how much it goes against the grain of every kind of gerontological principle I would hold dear,' he said. Emeis Ireland said it was 'unacceptable' for residents to have to wait for care or be dismissed when requesting assistance. It also apologised to residents and their families for the distress caused by the failings identified. 'Emeis Ireland apologises unequivocally to all residents and their families for the suffering and distress experienced as a result of failures identified in the care provided. We recognise and deeply regret the breach of trust that has occurred in relation to the service standards we promise, and for any failure to uphold the dignity of some residents at all times. These lapses fall short of the values and standards we set for ourselves as an organisation. "Emeis acknowledges the serious issues raised in relation to The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor. The findings are deeply distressing, wholly unjustifiable, and entirely unacceptable. We express our deep concern, as the wellbeing, dignity, and safety of residents in our care will always remain our foremost priority. 'We have commenced a comprehensive review across both nursing homes. We will not tolerate any individual or systemic neglect.' This article was edited at 9.55am on June 5 to clarify that HIQA stopped admissions to the nursing homE prior to the programme being aired last night.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
HIQA stops admissions to Laois nursing home featured in ‘RTÉ Investigates' programme amid concerns
RTÉ News reports that HIQA confirmed that "through its inspections" of both nursing homes it had "identified a number of significant concerns". The findings of the RTÉ investigation into two nursing homes run by Ireland's largest provider was likened to 'institutional abuse'. The 'deeply distressing' footage in RTÉ Investigates – Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes, which aired last night, details a litany of failings in two homes run by Emeis Ireland, formerly Orpea. The French-owned company has 27 privately-run facilities here, providing more than 2,400 beds. It has a global revenue of more than €5.6bn. After concerns were raised by several whistleblowers, RTÉ sent two undercover researchers to apply for healthcare assistant roles. They obtained footage from The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin, Dublin. Among the breaches detailed were inadequate staffing levels, which at times left one employee looking after 23 residents, and people being refused help to go to the toilet. One resident was left on the toilet for an extended period of time with a broken call bell, after the worker went off on her break. When she was eventually tended to, the nurse was seen cleaning her hands afterwards on the resident's skirt. In another incident, an elderly man in a wheelchair pleaded to go to the toilet, only to have his request refused. He was not taken to the bathroom until 25 minutes after his first request. Reacting to the footage, consultant geriatrician David Robinson said it was 'neglect… in a setting that is supposed to be caring'. Staff in the Portlaoise facility were secretly filmed discussing how they had run out of incontinence pads and would not get any for another 10 days. They were told they would instead have to use 'sticky pads and underwear'. In one scene captured on camera, a nurse says 'using incorrect incontinence wear is a form of abuse' and they are 'actually causing bed sores'. This morning, HIQA confirmed that admissions to The Residence Portlaoise had been stopped "as part of its escalatory action". A spokesperson said; "further inspection reports on both of these centres are currently being finalised and will be published shortly". "We are very concerned about the practices described in the programme and we have engaged directly with those responsible for the operation of the nursing homes," the statement continued. "Accordingly, we will be taking the necessary actions with the provider to ensure safe and effective care and support to all residents". Incidents In one incident at Beneavin Manor, Glasnevin, which houses many people living with dementia, one vulnerable resident was seen being left in her wheelchair for up to six hours. When she was eventually moved, the obligatory hoist was not used. The care worker insisted that she and the undercover reporter pull the frail woman up by her clothing because 'they are not glass'. When another man requested to use the toilet, he was told to use his incontinent pad instead. The same man was later found sitting in the dayroom in urine-soaked clothing. That night, he called repeatedly for someone to help him go to the toilet, but he was again told to use his pad. The next day, he was found lying on a soaking wet bed without any sheets. Later that night, there were no bed sheets left and staff instead used incontinence pads as a makeshift covering. Professor Rónán Collins, a consultant geriatrician, said the care of this man was 'really quite distressing'. 'I can't say any more about how much it goes against the grain of every kind of gerontological principle I would hold dear,' he said. Emeis Ireland said it was 'unacceptable' for residents to have to wait for care or be dismissed when requesting assistance. It also apologised to residents and their families for the distress caused by the failings identified. 'Emeis Ireland apologises unequivocally to all residents and their families for the suffering and distress experienced as a result of failures identified in the care provided. We recognise and deeply regret the breach of trust that has occurred in relation to the service standards we promise, and for any failure to uphold the dignity of some residents at all times. These lapses fall short of the values and standards we set for ourselves as an organisation. "Emeis acknowledges the serious issues raised in relation to The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor. The findings are deeply distressing, wholly unjustifiable, and entirely unacceptable. We express our deep concern, as the wellbeing, dignity, and safety of residents in our care will always remain our foremost priority. 'We have commenced a comprehensive review across both nursing homes. We will not tolerate any individual or systemic neglect.'
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Findings of probe into care at 2 nursing homes run by Ireland's top provider branded ‘institutional abuse' after RTE doc
THE findings of a new RTE investigation into two nursing homes run by Ireland's largest provider has been branded 'institutional abuse'. Shocking undercover footage shows residents crying out for help, left in soiled clothes, and being incorrectly handled. 2 A new RTE investigation undercovers how the elderly are treated in nursing homes Credit: RTE Press Office Issue 2 The findings of two homes have been branded "institutional abuse" Credit: Getty Images - Getty The two nursing homes in question are The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin in Both are run by Emeis Ireland, previously known as Orpea, who have apologised for the failings. Undercover investigators posing as On another occasion, the same man was left lying on a bare mattress before carers improvised and created sheets from incontinence pads. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS The 115-strong care facility costs roughly €1,400 per week for a resident under the Fair Deal Scheme. The scheme is an income dependent, state provided system that helps cover the cost of nursing The investigation found out that the home regularly ran out of basic equipment such as wipes, towels, and gloves. And despite the promise of three-day training, Most read in Irish News In the On one occasion, a man in a wheelchair whose care plan dictated that he needed two people to help him with personal care was forced to wait 25 minutes before he was brought to the bathroom. AI robot nurse with creepy 'face' taking over hospital jobs as it patrols halls, delivers meds and tracks patient vitals In another shocking incident, an When she became agitated, the sensory mat in her bed, placed there because she was considered a fall risk, was left to ring for minutes before she was attended to. Consultant Geriatrician Professor David Robinson said the findings amounted to abuse of the elderly. 'It's abuse - there's no other word for it' He said: 'This is going to shorten people's lives and the lives that they have will be more miserable because of the situation that they're in. 'It's abuse - there's no other word for it. 'What we're looking at is largely institutional abuse and this is neglect in a setting which is supposed to be caring.' RTE Investigates: Inside Ireland's Nursing Homes broadcasts tonight on RTE One and In response, Emeis Ireland said the evidence of poor care delivery, improper moving and handling of residents, and a lack of dignity and breaches of residents' rights are deeply distressing, adding that it does not tolerate any individual or systemic neglect or practices. Offering its sincere apologies, the company said this is not the standard of care it expects and not what residents and their REVIEW BEING CONDUCTED Emeis added it is fully committed to doing everything in its power to ensure the failings do not recur. This will include, according to the statement, a thorough examination of the management and oversight of medical supplies, housekeeping products and continence supplies across all its nursing homes. It is also to review staffing allocations at both The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor. EMEIS IRELAND STATEMENT IN FULL 'Emeis Ireland apologises unequivocally to all residents and their families for the suffering and distress experienced as a result of failures identified in the care provided. "We recognise and deeply regret the breach of trust that has occurred in relation to the service standards we promise, and for any failure to uphold the dignity of some residents at all times. "These lapses fall short of the values and standards we set for ourselves as an organisation. 'Emeis acknowledges the serious issues raised in relation to The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor. "The findings are deeply distressing, wholly unjustifiable, and entirely unacceptable. We express our deep concern, as the wellbeing, dignity, and safety of residents in our care will always remain our foremost priority. 'We have commenced a comprehensive review across both nursing homes. We will not tolerate any individual or systemic neglect, nor any practices that compromise resident safety, rights, or dignity. 'We have issued clear guidance to all employees, where required reinforced through targeted training and enhanced supervision through best practice in individualised resident handling, continence management, and safeguarding. "Additionally, we are reviewing the oversight and management of medical supplies and clinical practices across all Emeis nursing homes. 'Assistance programmes for residents, families, and staff are being established in response to the serious issues identified. We are committed to strengthening our culture of openness and accountability across all of our nursing homes. 'Staff, residents, families, and members of the public have access to a confidential whistleblower portal through which concerns can be raised without fear of reprisal. "All concerns are promptly investigated, reported to the appropriate regulatory authorities, and followed up with individualised safeguarding plans and strengthened oversight to mitigate the risk of recurrence. 'Emeis Ireland is determined to take all necessary actions to restore trust, ensure accountability, and drive meaningful, lasting improvements in the quality of care we provide.'
