More families are relying on nursing homes and long-term care facilities to take care of their loved ones. Currently, about 1.5 million people are living in an assisted living or nursing home; many of these individuals are elderly, disabled, or in need of close daily supervision. As caretakers, these companies have a legal responsibility to keep their residents safe and healthy, and to follow both state and federal guidelines. While illnesses and injuries can happen in care facilities, many of them preventable.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, nursing home abuse is a growing problem. Approximately 44% of US nursing home residents were found to have been abused, and 50% of nursing home staff admit to mistreating the residents. Part of the problem is due to nursing home staffing; many facilities just do not have enough employees to properly monitor and care for all of the residents. The decline in care may also be related to the for-profit companies that operate the nursing homes.
Unfortunately, there is a variety of abuse and neglect taking place at nursing homes. A person commits abuse when their actions are intended to cause harm to another person. Neglect is when someone’s actions fall below a reasonable standard of care. Nursing home abuse and neglect can include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional or psychological abuse
- Financial fraud or abuse
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Bedsores, infections
- Poor supervision, wandering
- Death of resident
If a nursing home resident is in immediate danger of severe illness or injury, you should call 9-1-1 for help. In cases where the resident is not in immediate danger, you can consider filing a complaint or lawsuit against the care facility. At Zinns Law, we understand that nursing home abuse and neglect is an emotional area. We will work closely and quickly with clients to help resolve their claims. Please contact us for help with your nursing home abuse case.
