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Nursing Home Abuse in the United States
The 1.5 million elderly and disabled individuals residing in nursing homes are a highly vulnerable population. They often have multiple physical and cognitive impairments that require extensive assistance in the basic activities of daily living, such as dressing, feeding, and bathing. Many require skilled nursing or rehabilitative care. In recent years, increased attention has been focused on the quality of care afforded nursing home residents. Concerns with inadequate care involving malnutrition, dehydration, and other forms of neglect have contributed to mounting scrutiny from state and federal authorities.
There is also growing concern that some residents are abused—pushed, slapped, beaten, and otherwise assaulted—by the individuals to whom their care has been entrusted. Accordingly, the ability to both apprehend those who have abused nursing home residents and prevent further abuse has generated considerable interest.Allegations of physical and sexual abuse of nursing home residents frequently are not reported promptly. Local law enforcement officials indicated that they are seldom summoned to nursing homes to immediately investigate allegations of physical or sexual abuse. Some of these officials indicated that they often receive such reports after evidence has been compromised.
Although abuse allegations should be reported to state survey agencies immediately, they often are not. For example, a review of state survey agencies’ physical and sexual abuse case files indicated that about 50 percent of the notifications from nursing homes were submitted 2 or more days after the nursing homes learned of the alleged abuse. These delays compromise the quality of available evidence and hinder investigations. In addition, some residents or family members may be reluctant to report abuse for fear of retribution while others may be uncertain about where to report abuse.
To speak to an attorney regarding nursing home abuse or elder abuse fill out the form provided below. An attorney will review your form and may contact you to discuss your rights.
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