Nursing Home Neglect And Abuse Article

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Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

When our elderly loved ones become too old to properly care for themselves, few of us are equipped to provide them with the constant help they need to live out their latter years with comfort and dignity.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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Surrendering a parent or grandparent to the care of a nursing home facility is one of the most difficult choices a family can make, but the decision is made out of hope that their lives will be better for it. Many families even strain their own income to pay for nursing home care on behalf of their loved one.

Sadly, one out of every four nursing homes in the United States is cited for causing serious injury or death to an elderly resident. These statistics are not just unsettling, they are panic-inducing for many families with loved ones in nursing homes. Nursing home neglect and abuse has become an epidemic in our country that needs to be fought at every opportunity.

The Rights of Nursing Home Residents
Residents of nursing homes have a legal right to be treated with dignity, courtesy, and respect. According to federal law, nursing home residents cannot be:

• Harassed
• Humiliated
• Threatened
• Physically or chemically restrained
• Physically or emotionally abused
• Financially abused
• Discriminated again when they voice a complaint
• Left in involuntary isolation

Nursing home residents also have the right to private, unrestricted communication with anyone they choose, whether in-person or by telephone and mail. Residents’ money is often held for them by nursing home facilities; in such cases, residents need to have reasonable access to their finances, as well as the ability to manage them. If these and other rights are compromised in any way, residents can pursue justice and fair compensation.

Unfortunately, many elderly people in nursing homes are too afraid to voice a complaint, fearing repercussions from staff members. Others may not even be aware of the injuries they have suffered at the facility. Because of this, it is important for families of nursing home residents to always be on the lookout for signs of neglect or abuse.

Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
Some common signs of nursing home neglect include:
• Unexplained injuries or bruises
• Dirty clothing or bedding
• Recurring illnesses
• Infection
• An odor of urine or feces
• Poor grooming
• The use of physical restraints (including bed sheets that are tightly tucked)

Nursing home neglect may not always be intentional, but it is never acceptable, as it can quickly lead to the injury or untimely death of a resident.

About Author

Our Madison, Wisconsin injury lawyers at Boller & Vaughan S.C. handle all personal injury cases and emphasize on nursing home abuse and neglect.

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