The Truth About Nursing Home Abuse And Neglect

The Truth About NURSING HOME ABUSE AND NEGLECT Nursing home abuse and neglect takes many forms, and can easily go undetected. If you know someone who is in a nursing home, it's your responsibility to look for the signs of abuse and neglect that cause physical and emotional distress. Don't allow a loved one to suffer - learn the facts about nursing home abuse, so you can protect the people you care about. How Common Is Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect? 16,000 3.3 MIL There are nearly 16,000 nursing homes in the country. In the United States, at least 3.3 million seniors live in nursing homes. 44% 4 MIL As many as 44% of nursing home residents across the country have said that they've been abused. Every year, an estimated 4 million older Americans are victims of abuse or neglect. Experts estimate that for every reported case, 23 go undetected. 50%oo 95% In 2010, more than 50% of nursing home staffers surveyed admitted to mistreating older patients. 2/3 of those respondents specified that they had neglected patients. As many as 95% have said they were neglected, or saw another resident neglected. What types of abuse are most common? 22% 14% 7% 7% Physical Abuse 21% Sexual Abuse Psychological Abuse Financial Exploitation Gross Neglect Resident to Resident Abuse Types of Abuse Complaints In U.S. E 14% 25% 15% 7% 15% 24% Bedsores: A Deadly Potential Sign of Abuse and Neglect Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, develop when a person sits or lies down motionless for an extended period of time, maintaining pressure on certain parts of the body. They are also one of the top signs of potential abuse and neglect in nursing homes. Where to look for bedsores: Hips Elbow Buttocks Tailbone Back of Legs Back of Arms Shoulder blades and Spine Bedsores: A Deadly Potential Sign of Abuse and Neglect 60% Common Signs of Bedsores As many as 60% of nursing home residents may be at risk for developing bedsores. • Discolored and tender spots on the skin • Blisters and shallow flesh wounds • Growing, crater-like wounds that get deeper over time Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, develop when a person sits or lies down motionless for an extended period of time, maintaining pressure on certain parts of the body. They are also one of the top signs of potential abuse and neglect in nursing homes. Nursing Home Falls: More Than Just an Accident 100-200 50-75% Every year, a typical nursing home with 100 beds reports 100-200 falls-and many go unreported. Every year, 50-75% of all nursing home residents experience a fall-a rate twice as high as seniors living outside of nursing homes. The average resident falls at least twice per year. Are nursing home falls a serious problem? 1,800 10-20% Every year, about 1,800 nursing home 10-20% of nursing home falls cause serious injuries. residents die from falls. Does a fall indicate abuse or neglect? 27% Medicated Residents Environmental hazards like wet floors, insufficient lighting, and poorly maintained wheelchairs account for as many as 27% of nursing home falls. Residents taking medications, particularly sedatives and anti-anxiety medications, are at a higher risk of falling. Residents who aren't given the help they need to get around are vulnerable to dangerous falls. 24% of nursing home falls are a result of muscle weakness or walking problems, and about 35% of fall injuries occur among residents who cannot walk at al. What Are Some Other Types of Nursing Home Abuse? Nursing home abuse takes many forms, and not all of them are easy to identify. These are some of the things you can look for. Physical Abuse Verbal Abuse • Unexplained cuts, bruises, burns, or scars Sprains and other injuries • Broken glasses • Signs of restraint around the ankles and wrists • Yelling and shouting • Humiliation and verbal belittling • Refusal to listen to the senior's needs • Threats Sexual Abuse Financial Exploitation • Genital injury or mutilation Unexplained venereal disease or infection • Fear of nursing home staff Strange/inappropriate comments • Missing money and/or personal belongings • Suspicious billing • Charged for services not provided • Suspicious activity from the senior's about sex bank account What Are the Different Types of Nursing Home Neglect? Most nursing home residents have either been neglected or seen another resident neglected. These are some of the forms neglect can take. Medication errors • Unsafe environment • Administrative failure • Wrongful or inappropriate care • Accidental injuries • Failure to inform the family of changes • Clogged breathing tubes • Missed or delayed meals • Unreasonable restraint Who Is Most At Risk for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect? Some nursing home residents may be at a higher risk for abuse and neglect • The mentally ill and/or depressed • Residents with impairments like than others. Alzheimer's and dementia • The immobile and physically handicapped • Residents who are isolated from others Reasons nursing home residents may hesitate to report abuse or neglect: • Shame or embarrassment • Fear of retaliation • Lack of ability to file a report independently • Hesitance to see a caretaker punished • Fear they won't be taken seriously How Can You Fight Back Against Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect? If you suspect that a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, don't wait until it's too late to learn the truth. Engage them in a private, honest conversation about their quality of life-and if need be, find legal assistance as soon as possible. Sources: National Center on Elder Abuse 1. 2 Mayo Clinic U.S. News & World Report Centers for Disease Control and Prevention American Psychological Association 205 W. Randolph St, Suite 610 Chicago, Illinois 60606 Toll Free: 1 (888) 625-6265 Phone: 1 (312) 629-0099 Fax: 1 (312) 629-1188 Visit our website at: www.malmanlaw.com MALMAN LAW Types of Abuse Complaints In U.S. Nursing Homes (2010 NORS Data) 5. Board & Care Facilities (2010 NORS Data) Heels Ankles Back of the Head