Reporting Nursing Home Abuse

Reporting Nursing Home Abuse

When seniors enter a nursing home, both they and their loved ones expect that they will be in the care of attentive, respectful, and competent staff members who will provide for their needs. Unfortunately, as statistics from the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) indicate, millions of cases of elder abuse and nursing home negligence have been reported, with many more going unreported.

Elderly individuals and their loved ones place a great deal of trust in nursing home employees, especially when elders are dealing with physical or mental conditions that prevent them from standing up for their rights. Employees at elder care facilities are carefully screened, but elder abuse still occurs.

Types of elder abuse

Physical abuse is usually noticed more quickly than other forms because physical signs like bruises or other unexplained injuries provide visible evidence. Improper medication or other medical errors can also be considered physical elder abuse, which may be evident in behavioral changes or lack of pain management.

Emotional abuse does not cause visible physical signs, but it will quickly become apparent when workers are adequately supervised. Emotional abuse includes yelling at residents or treating them with disrespect. It can also include neglecting the resident or interfering with their interactions with others.

Sexual elder abuse has also been reported. It includes any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident, as well as exposing elders to pornographic materials without their consent. Neglect also qualifies as elder abuse. Neglect means not attending to the resident’s needs in the proper way. It includes not bathing or feeding the resident properly. Essentially, any situation where the resident is not receiving the proper level of care can be considered neglect.

How to report elder abuse

If you suspect elder abuse in a nursing home or other elder care facility, demand to speak with the facility’s management immediately. They should act swiftly to address the situation and ensure that proper care and service are being given.

If management is unwilling or unable to fix the situation, remove your loved one from the facility and report the problem to the appropriate authorities. In such cases, it is advisable to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to protect the victim’s rights and to learn about your legal options.

Elderly individuals are not always able to defend themselves, especially if they deal with physical or mental difficulties. For this reason, any suspicion of elder abuse should be reported immediately. Elders and family members should not hesitate to review a legal strategy with a qualified attorney.