Elderly Abuse in Nursing Homes
As parents age, it can be scary for their children, and there may not be many options for their care. Many elderly couples continue to live at home, perhaps in an elderly community with extra assistance.
When there is only one living partner, or the pair has divorced, they may reach a point where they are no longer able to live alone. In some cases, the elderly person can live with a family member; in some cases they move to a nursing home. If that’s the case, you want to be sure that your parent will be safe and well taken care of in your chosen facility, with little chance of elderly neglect.
A study conducted found that nursing home abuse occurs in about one third of all nursing homes in the nation. This includes verbal, sexual, and physical abuse of varying degrees. ABCNews.com reported that this study found almost 9,000 citations for abuse from 5,283 facilities across the country in two years, and the abuse has been on the rise since 1996.
Incidents serious enough to cause harm to the resident or put the resident in immediate risk of death or serious injury account for 1,601 citations.
Other common problems include:
- Dehydration;
- Malnutrition;
- Inadequate medical care;
- Untreated bedsores;
- Inadequate sanitation;
- Inadequate hygiene.
Specific documents reported residents suffering from the following by either nursing home staff or other residents:
- Punches;
- Slaps;
- Kicks;
- Being choked
- Sometimes causing lacerations or broken bones.
If you have a family member in a nursing home and you are concerned about the well-being and the safety of him or her, do not wait to take action. If your loved one has even suffered minor abuse at a nursing home, contact an accidents attorney in New Braunfels, Tex. today. Attorneys at the Bettersworth Law Firm will help you to protect your elderly family member from dangerous nursing homes today.
