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Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
In our last blog post, we discussed recent news of nursing homes failing to protect patients and staff from falling ill to Covid-19. As the public health crisis develops, officials are initiating strict guidelines to slow the spread of the virus. It is of upmost importance that nursing homes and long-term care facilities abide by these policies to protect vulnerable residents in their care.Unfortunately, well before the Covid-19 crisis nursing homes have come under attack for reported instances of neglect and abuse. Nursing home neglect and abuse is a rampant problem in the United States. With the elderly population growing, more people are placing their trust in these facilities and it is more important than ever that we, as Advocates, stay on top of this issue. Keep reading to learn more about this problem, so that you can increase your awareness and protect your elderly loved ones.
Nursing Homes in the U.S.
Many of us know someone who lives or spent time in a nursing home. Over 1.5 million people in America live in nursing homes, and there are roughly 17,000 of these residential care facilities throughout the country. Shockingly, research has shown that almost a third of these institutions have received citations for violating federal standards regarding potential and recorded injuries. Studies have been conducted at nursing homes to determine how widespread these problems are, and data suggests that over 90% of residents have either seen or experienced neglect.
What is nursing home abuse?
Nursing home abuse is harm inflicted upon an elderly individual residing at a long-term care facility. The type of harm can vary tremendously, from physical abuse to theft of the individual’s belongings. Acts of neglect include:
- Physical abuse, including pushing, shoving, and using excessive force
- Emotional abuse, namely when the individual is yelled at, threatened, or manipulated into a state of fear and anxiety; isolation, financial manipulation and theft
- Medical neglect such as improper or unsanitary conditions; overmedicating or under medicating; and presence of untreated bed sores
These abusive behaviors are unacceptable. Preventing future tragedies is the priority, and nursing home neglect and abuse is far too common. In order to effect change in how these facilities are run, we need to hold them accountable for their negligent practices. If you feel that your loved one was mistreated while living in a nursing home, call or message us today.
Sources:
Statutes to Combat Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Law: Basics
Elder Abuse in Residential Long-Term Care Settings: What Is Known and What Information Is Needed?