30 Percent of Nursing Homes Sanctioned Due to Elder Abuse

14 May 30 Percent of Nursing Homes Sanctioned Due to Elder Abuse

Nursing home abuse is on the increase, and it doesn’t appear to be getting any better. The Special Investigations Division of the House Government Reform Committee conducted a study recently in which they revealed a serious problem with sexual, psychological, verbal, and physical abuse occurring in nursing homes. The results of that study are alarming to say the least.

Findings of the Study

The results of the committee’s report are quite depressing. It provides documentation which showed that between January 1999 and January 2001, 30 percent of the 5,283 nursing homes the committee studied had received sanctions for nearly 9,000 incidents of abuse. In addition to the number of actual incidents of abuse, the percentage of nursing homes that have been cited for abuse-related violations has increased every single year since 1996. You can also get adoption lawyers for hire from here.

The report provided details of the violations which included:

• Improper hygiene and sanitation problems
• Bedsores that had not been treated
• Dehydration
• Accidents that could have been prevented
• Medical care that was either inadequate or showed incompetence

The existence of these violations caused harm to many of the elderly residents in these facilities. The study showed that in 1,601 cases, the abuse inflicted on the seniors was severe enough to place them in jeopardy for serious harm or even death. The minority leader that was in charge of the study was shocked by the findings. In such situations, it is advised to contact expert probate lawyers who will represent their interests and fight for their rights.

Beyond the Study

There are some in the nursing home care business who feel these reports may be ambiguous and create inflationary numbers because of the need to report every incident in nursing home facilities including quarrels and physical altercations between residents. The consensus of some is that the nursing homes are providing the best care they can in difficult situations. It is best for people to be creating a trust to avoid getting sued, for any kind of legal complications.

Fortunately, there are those who believe there is no excuse for elder abuse of any kind. The report provided detailed descriptions of cases in which nursing home stuff were the instigators of sexual and physical abuse or failed to act appropriately in order to protect those residents in their care from abuse by other residents. It provided documentation of kicking, slapping, punching, and choking that caused contusions, concussions, lacerations, and fractured bones. There were other appalling incidents that included a personal aide who struck a woman in the face hard enough to break her nose and a male attendant who bribed a mentally challenged patient into attacking another resident so he could watch the action.

The homes that were included in the study had an average of 550,000 patients. A minimum of 1.6 million people in the United States live in 17,000 nursing homes, 11,000 of which are part of corporate entities. Even though nursing homes must submit to annual inspections every year, the rate of abuse continues to rise.

Comments from Nursing Homes

The nursing homes attempt to justify the problems by claiming that there are problems with the residents because they are unable to recruit and maintain quality staff that has the necessary skills to care for sick and elderly patients. This is another invalid excuse for the increasing levels of elder abuse that occur in these facilities.

Other common reasons for the poor quality staffing in nursing homes include low funding from Medicare, inadequate state funding, and low pay.  The belief is if the states and federal government spent sufficient funds to care for the seniors, it would reduce the potential risk of nursing home abuse.

If you or someone you love is a victim of nursing home abuse, our office can help you. We have a staff of lawyers who are familiar with the problem of abuse in nursing homes and can provide you with the help you need. To speak with one of our legal experts, call our office at 1-877-659-1620.