Nursing Home Abuse
by | June 15th, 2015
When we think of elder abuse in the United States, what may come to mind is an elderly person who has been physically or mentally harmed by another person’s actions. However, a new study shows that neglect may actually be the most common form of abuse the elderly suffer.
Our Norfolk nursing home abuse lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain how researchers from the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services examined tens of thousands of reports stemming from incidents where elderly patients were harmed. They found that more than half of those cases were the result of neglect, including improper supervision.
According to an article from the Daily Press, a majority of these neglect cases occurred within the patient’s home. Roughly half of those victims were Caucasian women age 60 or older. Another 400 of those victims were over age 90.
The home isn’t the only place neglect can occur though. There were 286 cases of nursing home abuse reported in assisted living facilities and another 570 cases that occurred within a nursing home. Another 834 cases were reported in the home of someone other than the patient.
If you or a loved one have become the victim of neglect, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone and that help is out there. Our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers from Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are here to answer any questions you may have if you suspect you or your loved one aren’t receiving the appropriate care. We can be reached to discuss your situation by calling (757) 459-CASH.
by | December 8th, 2014
When we send our loved ones to live in a nursing home or long-term care facility, we expect them to be safe from harm; however, one new study is showing this could be far from reality.
Researchers have shown as many as 1 in 5 nursing home patients are the victims of abuse and an unlikely culprit caused a majority of the harm. They examined the reports filed in more than 2,000 cases of nursing home abuse at 10 different facilities and found that instead of staff members being the ones accused of causing a patient harm, it was most often another patient responsible for the abuse.
Facilities with poor staff-to-patient ratios were found to have higher rates of abuse. Other factors that raised a patient’s chances of being abused or neglected included feuds with roommates and crowded conditions.
New America Media reports the profile of the abuser was also not quite what researchers had in mind. They concluded those who are most likely to harm another patient were younger individuals who were less cognitively impaired and suffered from a mood disorder.
So what can you do to protect yourself or a loved one from nursing home abuse? Norfolk personal injury attorney, Lowell Stanley, points out that taking the following actions can significantly reduce the chances of being harmed by a caregiver or fellow patient:
- Visit Often– Make a habit of routinely visiting your loved one where they’re staying.
- Ask Questions– Be sure to have all questions and concerns addressed by your loved one’s caregiver and the facility’s management.
- Know Your Rights– Speaking with an attorney can help you clarify any issues you may have surrounding a case of nursing home abuse or neglect.
by | August 11th, 2014
When our loved ones are unable to care for themselves, using a home care provider or nursing home’s services may be the best way to ensure they receive the medical attention they need. On the other hand, nursing home abuse rates are through the roof.
The National Center for Elder Abuse reports that as many as 1 in 3 nursing home residents will become victims of abuse or negligence. Experts are quick to point out this estimate may be on the low end though, considering a large number of cases may go unreported.
Officials are hoping to curb the number of elderly patients who are harmed each year by creating a new plan to address the problem. The Elder Justice Roadmap lays out five priorities that are key to combating nursing home abuse, and they include:
- Awareness- Finding new and innovative ways to educate the public about nursing home abuse through improved policies and research is crucial.
- Brain Health- Improving patient brain function through focused research is believed to also have a significant impact on nursing home abuse rates.
- Caregiving- Providing better support and training to healthcare workers.
- Economics- Pinning down the costs associated with nursing home abuse will also work to dissuade the behavior.
- Resources- Investment in resources to support victims of nursing home abuse is important to victims’ recovery.
The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are hopeful these changes will successfully bring an end to nursing home abuse in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
by | August 27th, 2012
August 27, 2012
A study conducted by the Special Investigations Division of the House Government Reform Committee found that 30 percent of nursing homes in the United States—5,283 facilities—were cited for almost 9,000 instances of abuse over a recent two-year period.
One such case of Norfolk nursing home abuse has come out of a facility in Staunton after allegations of sexual assault on a resident surfaced. According to the News Leader, the allegations came after an inspection by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) found numerous cases of safety violations and staff negligence.
Documents show that 47-year-old staff member sexually assaulted a 53-year old patient when he inappropriately touched her in May. Since then, a 43-year-old female patient has also come forward saying the same staff member assaulted her.
The man has been fired and charged in connection with the incident, along with a hospital administrator who failed to report the abuse. Another staff member could also be charged in connection to the incidents.
The findings came after the VDH cited negligence on the part of staff for such violations as medication errors and infection risks to patients.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say that there is no excuse for elderly folks living in these types of facilities to be treated without the upmost respect and care and are here to help you if your loved one has been injured by another person’s neglect.
