The Hard Reality of Nursing Home Abuse and How to Tackle it
The reality of nursing home abuse is that it happens every day, in every state, and affects thousands of people. It can be difficult to find those who are willing to come forward and report these cases because they fear retaliation from their abusers – but there are many organizations that help you report these types of crimes anonymously. Even after going through all the help and proper procedures the victims take years to recover from mental traumas and sometimes physical injuries too.
Elder abuse attorneys are often required to investigate these cases. They can provide support and assistance for victims as well as help prosecute those who committed the crime.
Nursing Home Abuse Statistics in the United States
Elder abuse, also known as “emotional, physical, or financial abuse” is defined by the National Center on Elder Abuse as any unreasonable act or series of acts that have a negative effect on an older person.
The number of elder abuse cases that are reported in the United States is constantly on the rise. It is estimated that there are more than 2 million cases of physical abuse, neglect, and exploitation each year. Nursing home abuse statistics are staggering and it is important to recognize the problem before it gets worse. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, more than 12 million elders in America live with some form of financial abuse each year.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can be physical, emotional, or financial. It is difficult to know which type of abuse is happening since it can be hard to tell what is going on in a patient’s mind.
Physical Abuse: Physical abuse includes hitting, kicking, shoving, and restraining someone without their consent. . It is a form of abuse that can be easily seen, but it is not always easy to know when someone is being abused.
Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse includes verbal insults, withholding affection, and not allowing the patient to make decisions for themselves.
Financial Abuse: Financial abuse includes taking away the patient’s belongings or money without their consent.
How to Identify Nursing Home Abuse Early On and Terminate Your Contract Immediately if Necessary
There are a lot of ways to identify abuse in nursing homes. Some of the indicators include:
- Physical injuries and bruises.
- Unusual behavior that is out of the ordinary for the facility.
- Signs that a resident has been restrained or otherwise abused.
Nursing homes are not always safe places for residents. It is important to be aware of some of the signs that could indicate abuse, such as bruises and unusual behaviors.
If you suspect your loved one has been abused, it is important to immediately contact the facility and provide them with evidence of abuse. It is also important to consult and chat with a nursing home abuse attorney who can help you with legal issues related to this type of incident. If your loved one has been abused, you can also contact the Department for Aging and Adult Services. The Department is authorized to receive complaints or information of possible abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of an elderly person residing in a residential facility.
How To File A Lawsuit Against a Nursing Home For Elder Abuse And Neglect
There are a few ways to file a lawsuit against a nursing home for elder abuse and neglect. You can file the lawsuit on your own, hire an attorney to represent you, or hire a lawyer who specializes in nursing home cases as we have already discussed. If you’re able to prove that the nursing home is neglecting or abusing an elder, you may be able to get compensation for your family member.
The best way to go about this would definitely be to hire a nursing home abuse attorney as it will help you get professional results.
How to Choose the Right Senior Housing Facility
It is important for seniors to find a senior housing facility that is right for them. They should ask around and use the reviews of other seniors to help them make their decision. There are many different factors that people should consider when choosing a senior housing facility. These include the location, staff, amenities, and overall quality of life. A good way to get a feel for what a senior housing facility will be like is to visit it in person or talk to some residents who have already lived there.
Old age is a tender stage of life. The elderly need to be protected, cared for, and treated with respect. Unfortunately, nursing home incidents of abuse are real and need to be stopped immediately. There are many ways to do so as we have discussed but spreading awareness is probably one of the most important things to it.