As America’s population ages, we have a serious problem that must be addressed. One in three seniors have been the victim of nursing home abuse. Two out of three staff members surveyed admitted to abusing or neglecting residents trusted to their care. Nearly 85% of assisted living facilities reported at least one case of abuse or neglect. According to National Public Radio, 97% of nursing home abuse cases go unreported to police or other authorities. Abuse of elderly adults can cause severe injuries and long-term mental health issues and in some cases results in death.
Nursing home abuse is nearly a pandemic due to chronic understaffing, improper training, and staff burnout. According to a 2014 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report, 54 percent of nursing homes across the country fall below minimum standards. These factors can cause staff members to take out their anger on the people they ae being trusted to care for. It may also prevent them from responding to urgent situations like falls or strokes.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take if your loved one has suffered nursing home abuse. First, you can help keep them safe by reporting the abuse to proper authorities, like the local police or your state’s Adult Protective Services (APS) division. In South Carolina specifically, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control sets nursing home standards.
You can also seek financial compensation to pay for your loved one’s medical care and other expenses with help from a nursing home abuse lawyer.
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Speak with a trusted nursing home abuse lawyer today by calling (803) 216-1008.
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Nursing home abuse and neglect warning signs include:
“Bedsores” or Pressure Ulcers, especially stage 3 and 4 bedsores
Broken bones and fractures
Bruises, burns, and welts on the skin
Cuts, lacerations, and skin tears
Dehydration and malnutrition
Facial and dental injuries
Falls that cause fractures or head injury
Infections that turn into sepsis
Unexplainable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Unexplained weight loss
In severe cases, nursing home abuse or neglect can even lead to wrongful death.
If you have a loved one who is a resident of a nursing home, keep a close watch on them and note any negative changes in their appearance or behavior. If you notice any nursing home abuse warning signs, you should seek legal help right away.
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