When a family makes the decision to put an elderly loved one into a nursing home facility, they are putting their complete trust into the facility and its employees. Unfortunately, many nursing home employees take advantage of this trust by abusing or negligently caring for their vulnerable patients. Abuse of the elderly can come in various forms, ranging from physical violence and sexual misconduct to emotional abuse and failure to properly care. If your elderly loved one has been abused, it is time to seek out the assistance of a trained legal professional.
The Impacts of Abuse
Here in the United States, nursing home abuse is far more common than any of us would like to assume. Approximately one in ten elderly Americans have faced some sort of abuse. According to statistics compiled by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), as many as 5 million Americans over the age of 60, are abused each year. Physical abuse can lead to broken bones, internal bleeding, and other life-threatening symptoms, for elderly people that are already physically vulnerable.
Negligent care is not always talked about as a form of elderly abuse, but in all reality, the impacts of reckless medical treatment can be devastating. Failure to care can come in the form of failing to regularly move an immobile resident, failing to regularly provide meals, and not assisting the patient in bathing or other actions needed to maintain personal hygiene. From bed sores and unusual weight loss to poor personal cleanliness, nursing home negligence should be taken incredibly seriously.
Emotional abuse can also have a monumental impact on a nursing home resident’s personal health. In many cases, emotional abuse comes in the form of disparaging remarks, belittling, or yelling at patients. When an elderly person is emotionally abused, they commonly struggle with depression, anxiety, and social isolation, in the aftermath of the harmful acts.
Tragically, those that are most vulnerable are oftentimes victims of various forms of nursing home abuse. Elderly Americans with mental impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia are at increased risk of abuse, due to their inability to communicate or recount instances of abuse. Spending time with your loved one and building a rapport with their nursing home staff, can help you in identifying signs and symptoms of abuse.
Contact a Plainfield Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
Senior citizens are increasingly susceptible to abuse, and the impacts of harm can extend far beyond physical pain. If you believe that a member of your family is being abused by a nursing home staff member, it is important to act quickly. In the event of nursing home abuse, Attorney Daniel Flaherty is committed to fighting for the financial compensation your family deserves. To schedule a complimentary consultation with a Will County personal injury attorney, call us today at 815-860-5702.
Source:
https://www.ncoa.org/public-policy-action/elder-justice/elder-abuse-facts/