Nursing home abuse and neglect are far too common in the United States. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that as many as one to two million seniors over 65 years old have been abused by those who they depend on for their care. With the senior citizen population in the U.S. rapidly growing, the incidents of elder abuse and neglect are expected to increase as well.

Many seniors living in care facilities are unable to communicate any abuse, and since many do not have friends or relatives to visit them regularly, countless incidents of abuse go unreported. If a friend or loved one is living in a nursing home or other facility, visit them frequently and pay attention to anything that seems amiss.

Common injuries caused by substandard nursing home care include:

• Pressure sores (also referred to as bed sores and decubitus ulcers)
• Falls and other trauma
• Medication errors
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Mental abuse
• Wandering and elopement
• Clogged breathing tubes
• Improper tracheotomy care
• Burns
• Improper restraint
• Asphyxiation
• Infection and sepsis / septic shock

In addition to properly evaluating a resident’s condition and needs, when injury does occur, the nursing home has a duty to notify the resident’s physician immediately and to notify the resident’s legal representative or an interested family member promptly of the accident or condition that has the potential of injury to the resident. The nursing home also has a duty to ensure that prompt access to needed emergency medical services is provided.

National Citizens Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR) reports that “Neglect is the failure to care for a person in a manner, which would avoid harm and pain, or the failure to react to a situation which may be harmful. Neglect may or may not be intentional.” NCCNHR points out that an example of neglect includes care givers, who may actually mean well, but are poorly trained and do not know how to provide proper care. NCCNHR provides examples of neglect:

• Incorrect body positioning – which leads to limb contractures and skin breakdown.
• Lack of toileting or changing of disposable briefs – which causes incontinence and results in residents sitting in urine and feces, increased falls and agitation, indignity and skin breakdown.
• Lack of assistance eating and drinking – which leads to malnutrition and dehydration.
• Lack of assistance with walking – which leads to lack of mobility.
• Lack of bathing – which leads to indignity and poor hygiene.
• Poor handwashing techniques – which leads to infection.
• Lack of assistance with participating in activities of interest – which leads to withdrawal and isolation.
• Ignoring call bells, call lights, or cries for help.

Abuse means causing intentional pain or harm. This includes physical, mental, verbal, psychological, and sexual abuse, corporal punishment, unreasonable seclusion, and intimidation. NCCNHR provides examples of abuse, which include:

• Physical abuse from a staff member, an intruder, or a visitor from outside the facility – including hitting, pinching, shoving, force-feeding, scratching, slapping, and spitting.
• Psychological or emotional abuse – including berating, ignoring, ridiculing, or cursing a resident, threats of punishment or deprivation.
• Sexual abuse – including improper touching or coercion to perform sexual acts.
• Substandard care which often results in one or more of the following conditions – immobilization, incontinence, dehydration, pressure sores, and depression.
• Rough handling during care giving, medicine administration, or moving a resident.

Abuse and neglect can have devastating effects on elders’ mental and physical health. If you see warning signs of any kind of mistreatment, contact the experienced nursing home liability lawyers at the Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm online or call us toll-free at (877) 552-2873 to set up a FREE CONSULTATION.

Gathering evidence can be difficult, especially if your loved one has difficulty communicating or does not remember any abuse. The attorneys at the Kosieradzki Smith Law Firm have extensive experience and a long history of obtaining recovery for elders who have been victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. If you believe a loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or other elder care institution, contact us today for a free initial consultation.