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Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes: Part 1

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In continuing the discussion on elder abuse, and its myriad forms, I intend to inform and arm you with ways to recognize and fight against abuse and neglect, particularly in nursing homes. First, the numbers. There are nearly 17,000 nursing homes in the US that currently care for 1.6 million residents—a figure expected to quadruple to 6.6 million residents by 2050, according to the Committee on Government Reform. With the rise in the number of nursing facilities, there’s been an increase in the reported instances of elder abuse. Experts maintain that for every report, there are another five instances that go unreported. Elder abuse manifests itself in many ways including physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment and financial abuse. In this blog, I’m focusing on physical abuse and neglect, and how to identify if you—or a loved one—is a victim.

Who is at risk?

Residents in nursing homes are at a higher risk for abuse for the simple fact that many have chronic diseases or physical limitations, and are therefore dependent on the assistance of others in many of the activities of daily living. Two-thirds of nursing home residents and an estimated 40% of long-term care facility residents have cognitive impairment stemming from Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnoses, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse.

What are your rights?

Medicare outlines nursing home residents’ rights and certain protections under the law. These rights include:

• Respect—You have the right to be treated with dignity.
• Services and Fees—You must be informed in writing about services and fees before entering nursing home.
• Money—You have the right to manage your own money or to choose someone else you trust to do this.
• Privacy—You have the right to privacy, and to keep and use your personal belongings and property.
• Medical Care—You have the right to be informed about your medical condition, medications, and to see you own doctor. You also have the right to refuse medications and treatments.

What constitutes abuse and neglect?

Neglect in nursing homes happens when facility staff members do not fulfill their stated duty to a resident. This includes everything from not taking a resident to the bathroom to failing to provide food, water, hygiene, medicine and safety. The failure to provide adequate staffing levels and the falsification of residents’ medical charts are both included in the umbrella of abuse. Hitting, striking, pushing, shoving, burning, kicking, undue restraint, force-feeding and depriving residents of food are all forms of physical abuse.

What are the signs of abuse?

Physical elderly abuse by nursing home staff is the second most common form of elder abuse. The Elder Abuse Foundation has outlined some signs that may indicate you or a loved one may be experiencing abuse or neglect:

• Unexplained bruises, rashes, bedsores or puncture wounds
• Reluctance to explain physical harm
• Soiled clothing, bed or living area
• Untreated medical condition
• Noticeable dehydration
• Noticeable malnutrition
• Inadequately clothed
• Significant weight loss

We’ve identified the warning signs of nursing home neglect as well as your rights. In the second part of this series, I’ll tell you why this type of maltreatment occurs in the first place, and more importantly, what can be done to prevent it and protect our precious elderly.

See you next week—

Ami Icanberry

Read Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes: Part 2

Posted in: Elder Abuse, Elder Care, Nursing Care, Nursing Homes, Skilled Nursing

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2 Responses to “Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes: Part 1”

1. Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes—Part II | Gilbert Guide Blog Says:
   

   […] (This is the second half in a two-part series. To read part one, click here.) […]

2. Pam Perrin Says:
   

   I am a student doing a presentation on elder abuse. I have a brother who is abused by his son. My brother is bi-polar, and only 51, but disabled. His son makes him give his meds to him so he can trade them for his drug of choice. Where do I turn tohelp for my brother? Thanks, Pam

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