The Different Types and Reasons for Nursing Home Abuse

Many people worry about their elderly relations and associated issues on nursing home abuse. The increasing numbers of elderly folks is unfortunately tied in with a corresponding upswing in the incidence of abuse.

This has forced the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a government agency, to have a closer look into the work and culture of nursing homes. Both federal and state governments have created uniform care standards for nursing homes to ensure the safety and well-being of patients.

The incidents of nursing home abuse are taking a very serious turn, with more and more complaints of abuse and negligence on the part of nursing staffs pouring in. Most of the cases and issues on abuse are related to malpractice and negligence on the part of nursing home owners and staff.

Generally, the cases related to abuse involve malnutrition, inadequate medical care, wrong medication, over-sedation, bed and pressure sores, dehydration, and physical injury from falls. They may also include sexual abuse, physical/mental abuse, lack of supervision, theft, coercion, or fraudulent over-billing.

The majority of nursing homes employ inadequate staff and equipment to support the number of residents. According to a recent federal study, over 91% of the nursing homes nationwide have insufficient nursing staff. On top of that, 40% of all nursing homes would need to increase nursing staff by upwards of 50% to meet the minimum requirements per the law. The quality of nursing care has been on a continuous downslide because of this shortage and is the main reason for the increasing number of cases of abuse.

Other factors leading to neglect and abuse of patients include the failure to properly screen staff for criminal histories, the failure to adequately train staff, the staff being overworked, and the reluctance of the elderly to report abuse out of fear and embarrassment.

Appropriate steps need to be taken address the factors which lead to nursing home abuse. Our elderly cannot be left to defend themselves from being exploited by ill-trained and inadequate nursing staffs.

If you or a family member are victims of nursing home abuse, you should seek the help of an experienced attorney to recover damages for nursing home abuse.