The Sobering Realities of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports over 15,700 nursing homes exist across the country and over 1.4 million Americans reside in these facilities. With our population aging by the year, this number is expected to increase significantly. Nursing homes and assisted care facilities are generally quite expensive and the relatives of elderly or infirm loved ones who place them in these facilities trust them to provide a safe and caring environment. Sadly, this is not always the case. Although most nursing homes provide quality care, others allow residents to be treated poorly or even experience abuse. In fact thousands of nursing home residents suffer injuries and die in nursing homes due to abuse.
Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse
If you or someone you love is a nursing home resident, you should be aware of the common abuse that goes on in nursing homes so that you can help protect your loved one. Common types of nursing home abuse include:
- Physical abuse: Physical abuse in nursing homes can include actual infliction of injury as well as threat of harm. Physical abuse can include the withholding of fluids, food, medication, exercise and the like. It can also manifest as the use of excessive restraint or actual physical hitting.
- Abuse through neglect: This is the most common form of nursing home abuse. Neglect involves the failure to provide residents with adequate nutrition, food, fluid, hygiene, shelter and security. Neglect can be difficult to spot so family members are encouraged to visit the facility and be alert.
- Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse has been documented in nursing homes across the country and the most common perpetrators are staff members.
- Psychological or emotional abuse: This type of abuse involves the intentional infliction of pain, sadness, or distress through verbal or non-verbal means. This is another difficult form of abuse to detect as its marks are not physical.
- Financial abuse: Nursing home caregivers have been known to exploit vulnerable residents financially by stealing money, card numbers or actual belongings. They may also exert undue influence to coerce residents into providing financial gifts.
The elderly are some of the most vulnerable in society and any nursing home that allows others to prey upon them should be held accountable. If you have witnessed signs of neglect or abuse at your loved one's nursing home, do not delay in taking action. Consult with an attorney as soon as possible to assist your loved one as well as take the necessary steps to protect his or her legal rights.
Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Put Our Over 39 Years of Experience to Work on Your Case!
Your loved ones deserve to be cared for in a safe and loving manner in their elderly years. If you suspect a nursing home of committing abuse or neglect, contact the Georgia Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. Our Atlanta based firm strives to offer superior representation to individuals who have been injured in an accident or experienced mistreatment at nursing homes across Georgia and in the Southeast. Prompt action is vital to the success of your case. As such, do not delay in seeking legal assistance. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
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