The term elder abuse is not used enough. Not because it is not common – it is. We need more attention drawn to those who abuse the people in our society who deserve the most respect.
There are nearly 16,000 nursing homes in the US according to the CDC, and that number is going to continue to rise. As medical advances allow for longer lifespans, they also increase the need for long-term care. It is estimated that 35 percent of those 65 and older will enter a nursing home.
What kind of abuse happens in a nursing home?
The CDC gives us a range of abuses, and they are all horrific.
Physical Abuse
Any time nursing home staff intentionally uses force that causes harm to their residents, they are physically abusing them. This can include beating, hitting, slapping, choking, shoving, and more.
Sexual Abuse
Though unthinkable, it happens. Anytime there is unwanted or forced sexual interaction between nursing home staff and a resident, it is abuse. This includes ALL form of sexual contact.
Financial Abuse
Nursing home staff has access to sensitive information on patients and often have control of their finances. If they abuse this access to steal money or their residents’ identities, they are financially abusing them. This can also include billing a resident’s insurance company for procedures or medications not given to the resident.
Emotional Abuse
This can include verbal and nonverbal behavior that results in residents’ anguish, mental pain, or distress. This includes threatening them, calling them names, isolating them, or punishing them.
Neglect
Caregiver neglect can include withholding food, medication, or shelter. It can also include not bathing or exercising residents regularly or taking care of any wounds they have.
Act Now
Do not wait to seek legal help. After you take care of the initial emergency and get your loved one into a safe environment, the Dante Law Firm is ready to help you hold the abusers accountable. We believe that the elderly should be treated with dignity and respect, not abused. When you need a Fort Lauderdale nursing home abuse attorney, we will stop at nothing to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve and that the perpetrators never have a chance to abuse again. You can contact us by clicking here or calling 305-949-2526 for a free consultation.
When our loved one’s needs become more than we are able to handle, we are often faced with the possibility of putting them into a nursing home. It is not because we want to, it is because we know that they will receive better care than what we can provide.
(954) 365-0000
(954) 365-0000