Statistics on Nursing Home Neglect Indicate Need for Vigilance

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Recent numbers from the National Center on Elder Abuse indicate that many seniors are risking their health, or even worse, from physical violence and nursing home neglect. The federal agency, a subset of the Administration on Aging, revealed the allege inaction of some certified nursing assistants and other employees of nursing homes contribute to the risk that seniors face.

Only five out of every 100 respondents in a 2000 study cited by the agency could say that they never experienced nursing home neglect or seen another resident mistreated. According to that same report, nearly one-half of all nursing home residents have been abused at one time during their stay at a long-term care facility.

For families who need assistance in caring for aging relatives, elder abuse lawsuit attorneys cite data from the federal General Accountability Office that indicts state officials for ignoring or glossing over at least one in six cases of nursing home neglect or outright abuse. That can cast doubt on the ratings provided by state agencies on aging or those that provide accounting for nursing home and assisted living facilities.

When staff, including certified nursing assistants and residential aides, were asked anonymously about their own habits, at least half admitted that they had engaged in violence, shouting or neglect. Nearly 20 percent admitted specific acts of physical violence.

In individual cases, however, it can be difficult to assess where a loved one is the victim of neglect or abuse. Outside of physical signs such as bruises or skin discoloration from malnourishment, it can be hard to assess the likelihood of physical violence or other problems, especially when relatives suffer from dementia or memory loss. For example, families may need to work with geriatric physicians to find out whether a resident is forgetting meals or not receiving them at all.

Legal action may help provide some redress for these issues, as well as the costs of moving to a new facility as well as physical therapy and any other needs a senior who was abused may have. Learn more about these opportunities by visiting our page on the Elder Abuse Nursing Home Neglect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Filling out the short form entitles families to a free consultation with one of our partner elder abuse lawsuit attorneys.