Nursing Home Abuse Questions
What are some examples of nursing home abuse?
When a nursing home fails to provide sufficient care, basic human needs, and protection of a resident’s health and safety, it may be negligent. Examples of nursing home negligence include failure to provide:
Food and water or failure to prevent malnutrition/dehydration
Sufficient medical care or the proper distribution of medications
Assistance with personal hygiene
Proper treatment to promote healing
A safe and clean and living condition
Adequate treatment and services for incontinent residents
Appropriate supervision and assistance to prevent accidents
Why is abuse present in nursing homes?
Sadly, many nursing homes are insufficiently staffed, and under-trained employees are responsible for the care of elderly residents. The result can be a painful and unfair living environment for residents, who may be deprived of life’s basic essentials and proper medical care. The tragic truth is that the nursing home industry and it often acts like one—housing your loved ones for the lowest cost possible. Other factors that can lead to nursing home abuse include minimum staff qualifications, low wages and a high turnover rate. Each certified nursing home assistant is responsible for 15 to 20 residents per day on average, meaning each resident gets only a half-hour of attention during the employee’s eight-hour shift.
How prevalent are incidents of nursing home abuse?
About 1.5 million elderly residents reside the 17,000-plus nursing homes throughout the United States. In a congressional report prepared by aides to Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Ca.), state inspectors cited almost 5,300 of these facilies in a two-year period. In more than 1,600 of these nursing homes the violations were deemed “serious enough to cause actual harm to residents or to place the residents in immediate jeopardy of death or serious personal injury.” The number one violation was failure to “properly investigate,” the report states. Additionally, statistics reveal that the percentage of nursing home abuse incidents has doubled since 1996.
If I suspect my loved one is being abused, what should I do?
Visit the home frequently and begin gaterhing facts. Collect all the material that you need so that paperwork cannot be later changed in court. You should also contact the administrator or director of the nursing home and file a complaint so that you have it on record. Finally, contact a http://www.cochranfirm.com/index.html nursing home abuse attorney who can inform you about your rights and the steps for pursuing legal action against the neglectful home.
How soon should I file my claim against the nursing home?
Begin the claims process as soon as possible. Each state implements a different statute of limitations. There could also be deadlines you must meet, as certain claims against governmental entities can require a sooner deadline. Also keep in mind that a medical and legal analysis must be conducted prior to filing a claim, so be sure to speak with a qualified lawyer as soon as possible.
What are some common signs of nursing home abuse?
Here are some telltale signs of abuse among elderly residents:
Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, sprains, or fractures in various stages of healing
Bedsores
Mysterious venereal disease or genital infections
Vaginal or anal bleeding and stained or blooding undergarments
Abrupt behavioral changes
Staff who refuses to allow visitors or delays during visitation
Staff who do not allow you to be alone with your loved one
Residents who are kept constantly over-medicated
If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, please visit the website for http://www.cochranfirm.com/index.html The Cochran Firm for more information. We serve clients nationwide.
July 5, 2010 | Posted by kevinram 
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