According to a 2020 study conducted by the World Health Organization, 2/3rd of nursing home staff admitted to abusing or neglecting residents. This same study found that one in three nursing home residents faced abuse or neglect while living in a facility.
One in 10 adults over the age of 60 face abuse from a caregiver every year. Many of these cases are family-related. Nursing home cases are different: not only are they more common, but nearly all of them also come at the hands of staff members who do not have a prior relationship with the victim.
Signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:
- Unexplained injuries
- Bedsores/pressure ulcers
- Dehydration/malnutrition
- Over and under-medication
- Behavioral Changes
When you suspect nursing home abuse, it is important to report it right away. The sooner you take action, the sooner safety and dignity can be restored to your loved one.
NURSING HOME ABUSE IS COMMON
Nursing home abuse is tragically common. You can help protect your loved one by visiting their home several times a week. Choose different times to visit and pay attention to who is on staff and how residents are behaving. These things can help identify changes that may indicate mistreatment.
Have meals with your loved one as often as possible, get to know their doctors and nurses, familiarize yourself with the staff – especially those most often assigned to your loved one – and report any suspicious issues to management. Again, swift action is the best way to protect a loved one who is facing abuse or neglect.
We Are Here to Help
The nursing home abuse lawyers at Chance, Forlines, Carter & King have a long and proud history of helping victims of nursing home abuse and their families. We are currently fighting Georgia’s punitive damages caps after having first secured a record-breaking verdict for the daughter of a nursing home neglect victim and are committed to setting precedent and impacting real change through our tireless legal efforts.
If you would like to speak with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer in Atlanta, please call Chance, Forlines, Carter & King at 404-760-7400 to schedule a free case review and learn more about your options.