Compensation For Victims Of Nursing Home Neglect

While nursing homes seem to be a fit option for the frail elderly, it is important to note that some nursing homes are abusive to the elderly, and in some cases, the abuse may lead to serious injury or death. Elderly abuse or mistreatment signifies any type of intentional harm or negligent actions to an elderly person. All too often abuse and neglect go unnoticed.

A study prepared by the minority staff of the Special Investigations Division of the House Government Reform Committee, finds that 30 percent (5,283 facilities) of nursing homes in the United States were cited for almost 9,000 instances of abuse over a two-year period, from January 1999 to January 2001.

Common problems included untreated bedsores, inadequate medical care, malnutrition, dehydration, preventable accidents, and inadequate sanitation and hygiene.

While nursing home abuse can take many forms, some common signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse include:

• Rapid or Dramatic Weight Loss
• Falls
• Unexplained Bruising, Broken Bones or Other Injuries
• Development of Bedsores
• Patient Change in Emotional State, Agitation or Withdrawal
• Facility Using Medication or Sedatives As a Means of Supervision
• Inability of Caretaker or Staff to Explain Patient’s Condition
• Lack of Sanitation
• Need to Transfer to Wound Care Facility or Hospital for Treatment
• Poor Communication From Facility About Patient Concerns

Between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection.

Over 90% of nursing homes in the United States are understaffed and have staffing levels too low to provide adequate care.

1 out of 3 nursing homes in the United States have been cited for nursing home abuse.

It is estimated that for every 1 case of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self- neglect reported to authorities, approximately 5 more go unreported.

There are currently about 1.6 million people living in nursing homes in the United States. Thirty years from now, the number is expected to increase to 5 million, suggesting that this epidemic is likely to grow in breadth in coming years.

In an effort to reduce and prevent elderly abuse, the Elderly Justice Act was passed. The act provides funding for Adult protective services, and establishes an advisory board committed to coming up with goals and projects to prevent elderly abuse. In addition, nursing homes are required to report abuse and or any suspicion of mistreatment. The reports are used to come up with statistics, which provide guidance on what types of abuse are more prominent and help the advisory boards come up with adequate goals and solutions to the problem areas.