Nursing home abuse and neglect is a subject that has long worried family members of elderly residents, and with good reason. As the nursing shortage becomes a bigger problem, many of these facilities hire staff through temporary staffing agencies. Unfortunately, these individuals are often not properly screened, and it becomes evident that some are not fit to care for our elderly.
There have been many stories of nursing home abuse and neglect in the news recently. One news item pertains to an Illinois nursing home where a male resident has allegedly abused about 10 other residents sexually. In Minnesota, 15 residents were abused both emotionally and sexually in July of this year by teenage nursing assistants. This type of abuse of our elderly is unacceptable, and should not be tolerated.
The problem often lies in the residents inability to clearly communicate with family members. Many of the elderly suffer from alzheimers, dementia and normally declining memory function. Some are threatened by staff that they must not tell anyone. Besides emotional abuse, other types of neglect take place. Often, residents are not given their meals and medication on time, which can result in illness or malnutrition. Patients may be struck or physically abused as well.
The elderly are often frail and vulnerable to mistreatment by nursing home staff members. When you feel that your loved one is being abused or neglected, confront the nursing home authorities to alert them of your concern. While this must be done, it often produces no results. Nursing home residents do have legal rights, and this type of inhumane treatment cannot be tolerated.
Nursing home facilities are supposed to provide shelter, nutrition and care for our elderly loved ones, but all too often abuse or neglect takes place. Why? There are several reasons this may occur. Sometimes, staff members have a history of violence. Other times, staff members are poorly qualified or not trained adequately. Staff may be short, and those who work may work extremely long hours. While these are not excuses for abuse and neglect, sadly they are real facts.
When you believe that your elderly family members is being mistreated or harmed in any way in a nursing home, contact a New York nursing home abuse lawyer. Your loved one should be properly cared for, and anything less is unacceptable. When nursing home authorities provide you no answers, you must take further action.
