New Plan Aims to Eradicate Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence in the U.S.

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:

  1. Awareness- Finding new and innovative ways to educate the public about nursing home abuse through improved policies and research is crucial.
  2. Brain Health- Improving patient brain function through focused research is believed to also have a significant impact on nursing home abuse rates.
  3. Caregiving- Providing better support and training to healthcare workers.
  4. Economics- Pinning down the costs associated with nursing home abuse will also work to dissuade the behavior.
  5. 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.