When providing care and supervision for an aging loved one becomes too difficult for the family to manage, placing the loved one in a nursing home may be the family's only option.  Because nursing homes are designed to provide elderly or ailing individuals with the care and attention they require, families believe that their loved one will receive the best care possible and be safe and secure in a nursing home setting.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  Between 1 and 2 million elderly individuals suffer from nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect each year. These numbers are merely estimates as many cases of nursing home abuse and elder abuse in general go unreported.

    Victims of nursing home abuse may suffer physical, emotional, or sexual abuse at the hands of their caregivers. Even when an elderly individual living in a nursing home setting does not report nursing home abuse, the family may suspect the individual is being abused.  Families should look for signs of abuse or neglect, some of these signs include but are not limited to: unexplained bruising, fear of being left alone, bedsores, malnutrition or dehydration, changes in behavior, or unexplained venereal disease.  If the loved one appears to be over medicated, is not allowed visitors, or makes unexpected financial decisions, the individual may be the victim of nursing home abuse.

    Nursing home abuse can occur for a number of reasons, and the most prominent reasons are related to nursing home staff.  When a nursing home facility has poorly trained or under qualified staff, instances of nursing home abuse may be more common.  Additionally, when a nursing home facility is understaffed the chances of nursing home residents falling victim to neglect or abuse are increased.  Staff may fail to provide nursing home residents with even the most basic of needs, such as eating, grooming, bathing, and using the bathroom.  Residents may not receive the proper medical treatment or care, may be over-medicated or restrained to control behavior, or residents may be threatened or coerced into making changes to their will or other financial documents.  These abuses are perpetrated by the very staff responsible for the daily care of the family's loved one.

    When researching nursing home facilities, there are steps the family can take to ensure their loved one will be cared for properly.  Because inspection results and surveys can often be misleading, families should not rely solely on these types of information. Families should obtain the following information when making a determination regarding nursing home placement for their loved one: whether the home and administrator are licensed, if background checks are conducted on all employees, if abuse prevention training is offered to staff, and if the nursing home is adequately staffed.  By asking questions and becoming more familiar with the nursing home and its policies, families can make better and more informed decisions regarding placing their loved one in a nursing home facility.

    If you suspect your loved one has become the victim of nursing home abuse, Bruce Robinson and Associates can help your family.  We can offer expert legal advice and counsel, and we can effectively and successfully represent you and your loved one in court.  Victims of nursing home abuse may be entitled to monetary compensation for their pain and suffering and those individuals responsible for the abuse should be held accountable.  For a free no obligation consultation, contact Robinson and Associates.  Let us put our experience and skills to work for you.