Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer if you believe a loved one has been neglected or abused in a Pennsylvania nursing home.
Pennsylvania Nursing Home Malpractice Lawsuit Cases
Nearly five million elder Americans are abused each year in the United States, according to estimates.
More than 15,300 nursing homes across the country house more than 15 percent of individuals aged 85 or older, and 700 of those nursing homes are right here in Pennsylvania. Experts believe that the number of nursing home residents will increase dramatically in the next ten years.
Although nursing home safety and oversight have improved dramatically over the past few decades, a significant amount of abuse is still prevalent at these facilities.
Request a consultation with us today and we’ll help determine if you have a case.
The statistics regarding nursing home abuse and neglect are nothing less than shocking
The Pennsylvania nursing home abuse attornies at Thistle Law have seen firsthand how devastating abuse at the hands of nursing home staff can be for residents and their families. Deciding to place a loved one in a nursing home facility is difficult enough, but learning about abuse at the hands of nursing home staff can devastate a family.
Ten facts about nursing home neglect and abuse
Before discussing possible signs of Pennsylvania nursing home neglect and abuse, let’s look at some nationwide facts.
- Fact #1: Only 1 in 10 individuals over age 60 have experienced abuse.
- Fact #2: Nearly 25 percent of nursing home residents experience some form of physical abuse.
- Fact #3: 92 percent of elder abuse incidents go unreported.
- Fact #4: Verbal abuse is one of the most common forms of reported abuse.
- Fact #5: 2 out of 3 elder abuse victims are women.
- Fact #6: Residents suffering from mental impairments or disabilities are more likely to suffer abuse
- Fact #7: 50 percent of dementia patients experience abuse or neglect.
- Fact #8: Social isolation increases the chance of abuse.
- Fact #9: 50 percent of nursing home staff have admitted to resident abuse.
- Fact #10: Individuals experiencing elder abuse have a 300% higher risk of death.
What is most shocking about nursing home neglect and abuse is how often it goes unreported. As a result, experts believe that abuse and neglect figures are even higher.
How do I know if my loved one is suffering from neglect or abuse at a Pennsylvania nursing home?
When a nursing home staff member intentionally fails to feed, medicate, or bathe a resident properly, it could constitute neglect and unintentionally lead to injury or death. Regardless of whether the neglect is intentional or accidental, the harmful result can be equally detrimental to the resident’s health and well-being.
- If your loved one resides at a Pennsylvania nursing home, you and other family members should look for any of the following issues:
- excessive use of patient restraints
- frequent incorrect medication dosages
- excessive bedsores, bruises, broken bones, or unexplained injuries
- conflicting or changing accounts of patient injuries
- malnutrition or dehydration
- personal hygiene issues
- significant personality changes in your loved one, including unexplained depression or withdrawal
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), there are seven different types of elder abuse. These include:
- Physical Abuse: Physical abuse refers to physical force that results in impairment, physical pain, or injury to the resident.
- Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse refers to non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with the nursing home resident.
- Emotional/Psychological Abuse: Any pain or distress resulting from verbal abuse, insults, threats, humiliation, harassment, or intimidation constitutes emotional or psychological abuse.
- Financial Abuse: Financial abuse refers to the illegal or inappropriate use of the elder’s property, assets, or other finances.
- Neglect: Neglect occurs when the standard level of care is unmet.
- Abandonment: Abandonment refers to the desertion of an elder by a person responsible for their care.
- Self-neglect: Self-neglect is the least common type of nursing home abuse and occurs when the resident is a threat to their own health and safety.
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Your elderly loved one deserves respect and the highest level of care. Pennsylvania nursing home arrangements for your cherished parent or loved one should be designed around dignity, compassionate treatment, and exceptional healthcare.
What should I do if I suspect that my loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect at the hands of Pennsylvania nursing home staff?
If you believe that your loved one experienced abuse or neglect in a Pennsylvania nursing home, report it to the proper authorities. Once you have done so, contact a Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawyer to help you determine whether or not you have a case.
At Thistle Law, our expert Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawyers are here to help. We know how sensitive nursing home abuse cases can be, and we stand ready to help your family through this difficult time. Our Pennsylvania nursing home malpractice attorneys can help give you peace of mind and bring anyone responsible for negligence to justice.
Unfortunately for many elders, reality falls short of that expectation. Recently, nursing homes have come under increased scrutiny for substandard care. We’ve all heard case examples of nursing home malpractice or abuse of seniors inside a nursing home.
The only way to stop this disturbing trend is to demand accountability and to hold care providers and the nursing home companies responsible for these failures. The lawyers at The Thistle Law Firm have successfully represented numerous people throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey who have been hurt in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other settings where seniors live or receive services.
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Winning Nursing Home Lawsuit Cases
“I chose The Thistle Law Firm to represent me in a wrongful death nursing home case. I found them to be exceptional. They always used the kindest professionalism that I found very comforting in such a sensitive matter.
They are experts in their field, and they were always ready to talk to me and answer any questions. They kept me informed and always up to date on all information.
I would highly recommend their services for any legal matter, and I applaud their sensitivity to my late husband’s dignity and our family. My family and I were more than pleased. Thank you, Tom and Dan Thistle.” – Darlene Dunn
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