Nursing home abuse has become a pressing concern, affecting thousands of families annually. According to WHO, about 1 in 6 individuals aged 60 and older were subjected to abuse in communal settings. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an upsurge in senior citizens’ maltreatment rate.
In 2020, over 15,000 complaints about abuse and neglect were reported. And this number has not been observing any downfall since. Moreover, as the population of several nations rapidly matures, it is projected that elder abuse will rise worldwide.
The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) report bifurcates the abuse into the following categories:
- 7% – Financial exploitation
- 7% – Sexual abuse
- 14% – Gross neglect
- 21% – Psychological abuse
- 22% – Resident-on-resident abuse (physical or sexual)
- 29% – Physical abuse
“Unfortunately, we simply do not know for certain how many people are suffering from elder abuse and neglect.” – The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)
Leading Cause Of Nursing Home Abuse
“2 out of 3 staff members in institutions like nursing homes and long-term care facilities report abusing elderly individuals at some point in their career.”– WHO
The FHCA polled the 310 nursing homes and 23 assisted living facilities regarding the rise in elder abuse. It revealed that nearly 92% of the facilities have a staff shortage, and 88% reported that the issue has not improved since 2020.
The poll further cited that 98% of facilities frequently ask their staff to work overtime to take care of the elders. Alas, things are not going as planned. Due to overwork and lack of rest, the staff is neglecting the elder’s health and concerns. Some are going as far as not providing timely medications, disregarding the basic essentials such as food and sanitation, and physically assaulting elders out of sheer work frustration.
Other reasons, such as poor nursing home maintenance, lack of staff training, and less pay, contribute significantly to this issue.
Symptoms Of Nursing Home Abuse
Abuse or assault often leaves a drastic impact on the victim’s life. This results in behavioral changes and tension between the victim and the caretaker. Thus, learning about the common signs of abuse is essential to address these issues as soon as possible.
The commonly reported signs of abuse are:
- Bruising and scars on the body
- Signs of restraint
- Unexplained broken bones, dislocations, or sprains
- Failing to take medications properly
- Stained, bloody underwear
- Vaginal or anal bleeding (unrelated to any medical condition)
- Unsuitable dressed for the weather
- Unusual loss of weight
- Bedsores
How To Cope With The Nursing Home Abuse?
“Elder abuse will not stop on its own. Someone else needs to step in and help.” – National Institute on Aging (NIA).
If this issue is not addressed immediately, it will lead to shambles. That’s why it is essential to watch out for the signs of abuse or assault and report it to the appropriate authorities immediately. Elders or their family members may call the emergency helpline number or nursing home abuse complaint hotline to report the case.
In addition, they must get in touch with the nursing home abuse lawyer to file a lawsuit against the long-term care facility. The professionals can streamline the complex case, ensuring victims get the rightful financial compensation.
Of course, the monetary reimbursement can not reverse the damage done. Though, it can assist in lowering the possible medical cost (treatment and therapy), facilitating the well-being of elders. The lawyer will further keep the victims and their families informed about the proceedings so that they feel satisfied.
Apart from this, family members of victims must visit them frequently and look out for signs of abuse. Establish an open communication channel so seniors can express their concerns freely.
Preventive Measures To Take
As you might already know- Prevention is better than cure. With the rise in the elderly population all across the globe, long-term care facilities must implement appropriate measures to put a halt to the rising cases. For this:
- Lower the caregiver’s burden by hiring more staff and allowing them to rest well.
- Commence a money management program for vulnerable elders to eliminate financial exploitation.
- Easy access to helplines and emergency shelters.
- Background checkup of staff before hiring them.
- Regular inspection of shelter homes and assisted living facilities to ensure the health and well-being of elders.
- Provide appropriate pay to the staff.
- Raising awareness about nursing home abuse.
Over To You
The cases of senior abuse are breaking records- not in a good way! It is essential for the government to pay attention to this issue before it turns into an international moment. Effective strategies must be implemented to eliminate the cases, and justice should be served.
