Nursing Home Abuse and Mistreatment

Nursing home abuse preys on the helpless.

Nursing home abuse and neglect consists of bedsores, open wounds, cuts, bruises, dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, burns, falls, bowel impactions, medication errors, poor personal hygiene, verbal or physical abuse, over-sedation and other cruelties.

Nursing home abuse injury must be stopped!

People in nursing homes may not be able to speak for themselves or may be afraid to speak about their conditions or what they see and hear going on around them. Nursing home abuse is a crime against the sick, helpless and elderly.

With 1.6 million nursing home patients in 18,000 nursing homes in the United States, one wonders how widespread is the practice of nursing home abuse?

What can you do?

The first step is recognizing what nursing home abuse or neglect actually is. Do you have a loved one or friend whom you suspect has been neglected or abused? Do you need legal assistance?

Nursing home abuse can include:

Assault and battery
Sexual assault
Rape
Unreasonable physical constraint
Prolonged or continual deprivation of food or water
Use of physical or chemical restraint or medication not authorized by the doctor
Giving too much medication
Not giving needed medication
Unexplained injuries
Open wounds, cuts, bruises or welts
Elder reports of being slapped or mistreated
Slapping, pushing, shaking, beating

Nursing home neglect can be described as failure to:

Assist in personal hygiene
Provide food, clothing or shelter
Provide medical care for physical and mental health needs
Protect from health and safety hazards
Prevent dehydration, malnutrition and bed sores
Provide clean conditions
Provide access to medical services

In 1987, the Nursing Home Reform Act established basic rights and services for residents of nursing homes. These standards form the basis for present efforts to improve the quality of nursing care and the quality of life for nursing home residents.

The extent to which the Nursing Home Reform Act succeeds in actually improving nursing homes depends on the effectiveness of its enforcement. Contact us to find out if you have a Nursing Home Abuse case.