Nursing homes are supposed to be safe places for our older loved ones to live where they can get the help and care they need in their golden years. Unfortunately, there is a troubling truth that lies beneath the surface: abuse in nursing homes is a common and serious issue in the United States.
Quinn Law Group, LLC is a law company that helps people who have been abused in nursing homes. If you think that an elderly loved one is suffering, you can get help from them.
Understanding the scope of the problem.
Studies have shown that a lot of elderly people who live in nursing homes are at risk of being abused or neglected. In fact, every single year, one in six elderly individuals who live in care homes are neglected or abused. This means that a huge number of adults who have vulnerabilities are being abused by the people who are meant to be looking for them.
The types of nursing home abuse.
Abuse in nursing homes can look like many things, and each has terrible effects. For instance, hitting, slapping, or pushing a person on purpose is an example of physical abuse. This may injure people seriously and cause mental damage.
Emotional abuse, on the other hand, includes comments, threats, intimidation, or isolation. In the worst cases, this can really hurt a resident’s mental health and well-being.
A resident faces financial abuse when their money is misused, like when money is stolen or used without permission. This could leave people without money and financially vulnerable.
Nursing home abuse also often takes the form of neglect. It is when you do not give someone the care they need, like food, medicine, or help with daily tasks. Neglect can make a person’s mental and physical health worse, and in the worst cases, it can even cost their life.
The human cost of nursing home abuse.
Every case of abuse in a care home has a terrible effect on the people who are abused. One example is an old woman living in a nursing home who may be verbally abused or ignored by a worker, which makes her feel worse. This can make her feel alone, depressed, and like she does not have any worth.
In a different situation, a nurse might take advantage of an old man with dementia by taking money from him. This could put him at risk and leave him without money or shelter. It could also negatively impact his family.
Who are the perpetrators of nursing home abuse?
Abusers in nursing homes are often people who are close to the victims, like family members, friends, or staff at the nursing home. In fact, studies show that more than three-quarters of cases of elder abuse are done by people who are caring for the elderly.
This number is especially upsetting because it shows that sometimes, the people we trust to look after our elderly loved ones are the ones who hurt them.
Why does nursing home abuse occur?
Abuse in care homes is common for a number of reasons. One of the most important issues is not having enough people. When nursing homes do not have enough staff, nurses may be too busy and stressed, which makes them more likely to abuse residents. Caregivers who do not get enough training might also not know how to deal with people who have difficult behaviors.
Another thing that can lead to abuse in a nursing home is bad management. Abuse might not be caught in nursing homes that do not have good ways to keep an eye on things.
Lastly, old people may be more likely to be abused because they are vulnerable. Residents who are mentally or physically disabled might not be able to report or stop abuse.
To protect the elderly, nursing home abuse is an urgent problem that needs to be addressed right away with more knowledge, stricter rules, and more resources.
Dariel Campbell is currently an English instructor at a university. She has experience in teaching and assessing English tests including TOEFL, IELTS, BULATS, FCE, CAE, and PTEG. With over a decade of teaching expertise, Dariel Campbell utilizes his knowledge to develop English lessons for her audience on English Overview.
