Common Forms of Nursing Home Abuse

Tulsa Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys

In 2012, over 1.3 million Americans resided in a nursing or adult care facility. By 2013, that number had climbed to over 3.3. million. With the Baby Boomer generation aging and increasingly requiring outside care, the number of individuals in nursing homes is expected to continue to grow exponentially. In fact, it is believed that by the end of this year, one in seven people over the age of 65 will enter a nursing home facility.

Unfortunately, with this increase in the number of nursing home residents, rates of nursing home abuse are likely to climb as well. Currently, studies show that reports of abuse, ranging from financial to physical or verbal, are made in one out of three nursing homes. In Oklahoma, where 317 nursing homes exist, many are receiving a failing grade. Oklahoma ranked 48 out of 51 states in providing safe and quality nursing home care. Sadly, statistics on nursing home abuse are widely inaccurate as thousands of cases go unreported in Oklahoma alone each year.

 Given the inability of some nursing home residents to communicate they are being abused, it is important that family members of nursing home residents be vigilant in looking for signs of abuse. The following is a list of the most common forms of nursing home abuse. It is our hope that armed with the knowledge of the forms of abuse to look for, you can protect your loved one and other nursing home residents from abuse. If you susupect that a loved one has been abused in a Nursing Home call our Tulsa Nursing Home Neglect attorneys at 918-743-2233

1. Physical Abuse: Approximately 25% of all nursing home abuse consists of physical abuse. Physical abuse is defined as the infliction of injury upon the nursing home resident or threat of physical harm. Physical abuse can also include the withholding of food, exercise, fluids, or medication.


2. Emotional or Psychological Abuse: This form of elder abuse is quite common, accounting for 36% of all cases. Emotional or psychological abuse involves the infliction of pain, distress, or misery by verbal or non-verbal means. This form of abuse can be difficult to detect because it does not leave a physical scar.


3. Sexual Abuse: Incidences of sexual abuse in nursing homes have been well documented. Often, the nursing home staff is found to have committed this atrocious act.


4. Abuse Through Neglect: This is the most common form of nursing home abuse, comprising nearly half of all cases. Neglect of an elder’s needs includes the failure to provide adequate nutrition, shelter, hygiene, including oral care, and security.


5. Financial Exploitation: Financial fraud is another common type of nursing home abuse. Nursing home residents are entirely reliant upon their caregivers, which makes them vulnerable to fraud. Financial exploitation can occur in a number of ways. Some of the most common financial exploits include theft of resident’s bank cards, identity theft, and overreaching in the form of requesting gifts or funds. Healthcare fraud is another issue, wherein caregivers charge for medical services that were never performed. This type of fraud is not only criminal, it is dangerous to residents as it may result in them not receiving the medical care they need.

Any suspected nursing home abuse should be immediately addressed. All nursing home residents have the right to be free from abuse and neglect, and to receive proper medical care. There are legal options available when your loved one is abused or neglected in a nursing home.

Contact our Tulsa Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys

If you or a loved one may have been the victim of nursing home abuse in Oklahoma, the Tulsa Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys at Kania Law Office can help. Call our Tulsa office (918) 743-2233 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your options for pursuing a full recovery.

 

Common Forms of Nursing Home Abuse

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