Why Nursing Home Neglect is on the Rise

Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

The statistics regarding nursing home neglect and abuse suggest that it occurs at an alarming and increasing rate. More than two million cases of elder abuse are reported each year. Additionally, one out of every 10 individuals experiences some type of elder abuse. Those numbers represent only those cases that have been reported; there are many more elderly individuals who are too afraid or are unable to report their abuse. If you or a loved one is being neglected or abused by a caregiver, reach out to an elder abuse attorney for help right away.

Common Causes of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse rates will likely not decrease until the causes of abuse are thoroughly understood and remedied. Some of the most common contributing factors to elder abuse in nursing homes include:

• Improperly trained staff
• Poorly supervised staff
• Staffing shortages
• Undertrained staff, who are not able to perform all of the necessary duties of their position
• Underpaid staff that is not motivated to provide a certain standard of care

Click here to learn more about how to spot nursing home abuse.

There are also a number of individual caregiver issues that can lead to nursing home abuse, which include burnout, emotional difficulties, financial troubles, mental illness, poor personal health, and stress.

In addition to qualities concerning individual workers, some nursing homes lack adequate management and do not properly follow safety regulations. If nursing home management fails to establish an adequate level of accountability, there is a substantial possibility that abuse and neglect will occur. Some people have argued that all nursing homes should penalize workers whose performance deteriorates below an acceptable level.

Risk of Abuse Factors for Nursing Home Residents

There are a number of different risk factors that make nursing home residents more vulnerable to abuse and neglect, such as:

• Cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease that make it more challenging for a nursing home resident to communicate with staff
• Mental illnesses make a person more susceptible to abuse
• Physical disabilities can make it more challenging for staff to care for someone
• Wealthier residents are more likely to be subject to financial abuse
• Women are more likely to be victims of abuse than men

Speak with an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

While we hope that those who are employed by nursing homes to care for our loved ones will provide top quality care, this is not always the case. If you or a loved one has been harmed due to nursing home abuse, and wish to pursue a lawsuit against a nursing home, contact an experienced accident attorney right away for help. Contact Ferrara & Gable today to schedule a free case evaluation.