According to a congressional report released in July, reports of nursing home abuse are “numerous.” According to the study, which was prepared by the minority staff of the Social Investigations Division of the House of Government Reform Committee, 30 percent of nursing homes in the U.S. were cited for nearly 9,000 instances of abuse during a two-year period.
According to the study, the most commonly reported problems included inadequate medical care, untreated bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, improper sanitation and accidents that could have been prevented. Most of the incidents resulted in injury.
In more than 1,600 cases, the residents involved were either injured or put at jeopardy of suffering serious injury or death. According to the report, violations included violent actions such as punching, slapping, choking or kicking residents or failing to protect residents from violent actions of other residents.
The violations outlined in the report are shocking and should not go unpunished.
Millions of people live in nursing homes across the nation and it is our job to protect our elderly loved ones and to make sure they are safe. If you even suspect something is wrong, you should contact an attorney who can conduct an investigation. If your suspicions are correct, it is up to you to protect your loved one and get him or her out of harm’s way.
In some cases, incidents of abuse are obvious. But, in other cases, it may be up to you to follow your gut or suspicions. Some of the things to watch out for include sudden changes of behavior; withdrawn behavior or refusal to see visitors; refusal by staff to have you visit with your loved one alone; untreated bedsores; dirty or soiled clothes or bed sheets; weight loss; sedated or heavily medicated; or crying when you leave.
It is so sad to think that someone could harm an innocent and defenseless person. But, the reality is that nursing home abuse occurs much more than we think. If someone you love is in the care of a nursing home, you owe it to him/her to pay attention to the warning signs and follow your instincts. If you believe that someone you care about has been injured or put in harm’s way while under the care of a Wyoming nursing home, contact Frederick J. Harrison, P.C. for help. We represent victims of all types of abuse and neglect and their families and serve as advocates for patient safety.