In the U.S. there are over 16,000 nursing homes caring for the elderly citizens of the country. Some older individuals may choose to live with their family members who will watch over them and provide what care they can. Others may move in to senior housing where they can maintain much of their independent living. Nursing homes on the other hand offer a closer eye as well as other benefits for those that are aging and no longer able to sufficiently care for themselves alone. They provide live in facilities for their patients, including basic housing amenities and prepared meals. One of the greatest benefits of a nursing home for many is the medical attention and treatment that is on hand at the location. Nurses and other medical staff are either their daily or are called in to treat the needs of the patients living in the home. While these facilities can be a great blessing to the elderly and their families that cannot meet the level of care that they need, there can also be downfalls to them. Reports of nursing home abuse occur every year with estimates ranging between one and two million. While many accounts go unnoticed and unresolved, many are brought to the attention of authorities to handle legally.
Abuse suffered by nursing home patients can be physical abuse. Slapping, hitting, shoving, blocking and restraining are all examples of what can occur. In some cases the physical harm may be so severe that it leads to a personal injury. It can also be comprised of neglecting the patient. When staff leaves a person in their bed that cannot move about on their own, they may harm themselves trying to get up or they may be forced to remain in their bed, unable to go to the bathroom or feed themselves. Neglect can also involve not treating a person that is in need of medical attention and even ignoring their basic hygiene. Psychological or emotional abuse is also a common problem. It can incorporate yelling, threatening or humiliating them, as well as belittling or ignoring them. Others may suffer from workers that take advantage of their finances, stealing money, overcharging them or providing healthcare measures they did not actually need. One other appalling form of abuse is sexual abuse. It can include actual sexual acts, forcing them to view pornographic material, forcing them to undress and more. If the elderly person was against any of the actions or they were not in the right mind to express their opinion it is considered abuse.
The reasons for elder abuse will never all be known. Each case has its own circumstances that lead to the outcome. In many instances a nursing home worker may have a shorter tolerance for the people they are working with. The elderly person may not be as quick or capable as they would like. As an outlet of their frustration, they take it out on their patient, failing to provide the quality care they are meant to. This can include harsh treatment physically, when they are moving them about or talking down to them when they are explaining something to them. Other times it may be that the staff was not properly trained in techniques to deal with the patient both physically or in their bedside manner. Without knowing the correct procedure, they are more likely to make errors. Many nursing homes are understaffed and as a result the caretakers that are there cannot handle the overload of patients to the sufficient standards. They may be unable to turn them as often as they should, increasing the number of decubitus ulcers. They may not have the time required to properly asses their needs as well as carrying out those necessities. As a result of the lack of staff, the patients and the home will suffer.
About 1 out of every 14 cases of domestic elder abuse is reported to police, while one out of every five cases of all types of elder abuse is never brought to their attention. Various circumstances may be the reasons why no one ever notices an elderly person is being abused or the individual themselves does not call attention to it. There may be a fear of the consequences if they do or they may worry that no one will believe them. Those that interact with them should always take notice of any changes to see if there is an issue of abuse they are just not willing to mention. To detect elder abuse, be on the lookout for any physical warning signs. If there is bruising or other personal injuries, inquire as to how they sustained them. Also take note of their behavior. While some may conclude that unusual behavior of the elderly person is a case of dementia or just getting older, it could also be the effects of the abuse they are sustaining. If there are any changes in their actions or personality, question to see if there is something more extensive going on. Notice how they interact with their caregivers; if it is in a gentle loving manner or if there is clear friction between the two.
Nursing home abuse can lead to effects that are physical as well as emotional. The victim may be emotionally damaged by the terrible acts that were committed against them. They may suffer through a change in their personality; becoming quitter or more easily agitated. They may also have to deal with a personal injury. As a result of negligence they may have had a slip and fall accident. For the elderly, injuries and falls can have a much greater effect. They may have broken a bone or ruined a hip replacement. Since the immune system of older citizens becomes compromised the older they get, any illnesses or injuries may not heal as they otherwise would. An injury to them can shorten their life span or hinder their quality of life. In no way should this atrocious treatment ever be tolerated. Those that are injured should speak to an attorney who can defend them; fighting to secure the financial earnings they need to pay for medical expenses and live the best life possible they can in spite of their emotional and physical grievances.
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