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Nursing home abuse is one of the most serious problems facing this country’s elderly population. It is estimated that at least one in 20 nursing home patients has been the victim of abuse. According to this same study, approximately 57% of nurses’ aides working in long-term care facilities admitted to having witnessed, and even participated in, acts of abuse. The report sites widespread problems within the nursing home industry, such as inadequate pay for workers and chronic understaffing as contributing factors to the epidemic of abuse.
There are nearly 1.4 million Americans living in nursing homes right now, and that number is expected to more than double in the next decade as our population ages. As it does, advocates for the elderly fear that incidences of nursing home abuse will continue to climb as well.
Physical or mental abuse and neglect of our elderly parents is a silent crime. The sad fact is that most of the elderly with disabilities are unlikely to complain about abuse, neglect or victimization under the fear that they will lose whatever support that they have, and that their complaints will trigger reprisals.
Signs of Abuse
Federal and state governments have passed laws to insure that nursing home residents receive the care, treatment and quality of life to which they are entitled. How do you know when a nursing home is violating the rights of a loved one you’ve entrusted to their care? Be alert to signs of:
• Bed sores
• Malnutrition
• Over-sedation
• Poor hygiene
• Falls and fractures
• Failure to provide adequate food and water
• Decubitus ulcers
• Gangrene
• Weight loss
Why is Abuse Present in Nursing Homes?
The tragic truth is that the nursing home industry, for the most part, behaves as just that: an industry that houses our elderly loved ones at the lowest cost possible.
This means:
• Minimal qualifications
• Inadequate staffing
• Insufficient training
• Low wages and high turnover
Many facilities also don’t meet minimum state health and safety standards. Problems can include fire safety violations, loose handrails, pest infestations, improper food handling, and bad odors from urine and feces – all of which lead to dangerous and abusive conditions for the elderly residents.
The ultimate result is serious and even life-threatening problems for nursing home residents:
• weight loss,
• failure to treat pressure sores or
• failure to manage pain effectively,
• hospitalization,
• malnutrition,
• dehydration and even starvation.
Hope
After years of providing neglectful elder care, nursing homes are finally starting to be held accountable. Numerous lawsuits have been filed across the country and grieving families are receiving compensation for pain, suffering and the untimely death of loved ones.
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