How to Recognize Nursing Home Abuse in Atlanta

Statistics say that there are 5 million or so elder abuse cases yearly, yet less than 1 million of those cases are ever reported to authorities.

The Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Here are some of the signs of elderly abuse provided by Helpguide.org:

• Physical abuse:
  • Mysterious bruises, scars, cuts, or broken bones
  • Taking either too many forms of medication or not enough
  • Restraint marks on their wrists or ankles
  • Refusal of the healthcare staff to allow friends and family to see the victim alone
  • Broken glasses, dentures, or accessories

• Emotional abuse:
  • Notice the caregiver has a belittling or threatening attitude
  • Mumbling, rocking, sucking thumbs or teeth, and agitated behavior by the elder adult
  • Changes in behavior by the elder adult
  • Arguments between the caregiver and the victim

• Sexual abuse:
  • Bruising of genitals or chest area
  • Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases or infections
  • Bleeding from the genitals or anus
  • Bloody undergarments

• Neglect by caregiver:
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Physical problems, such as bed sores, malnutrition, or dehydration
  • Unsanitary living conditions
  • Unsuitable clothing
  • Unacceptable living conditions
  • Leaving the elder unattended at a public place

• Financial exploitation:
  • Significant withdrawals from the elder’s accounts
  • Items or money missing from the senior’s home
  • Mysterious changes in wills or power of attorney
  • Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, even when the elderly adult has plenty money
  • Financial activity the senior couldn’t have done, such as an ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden
  • Unnecessary services, goods, or subscriptions

• Healthcare fraud:
  • Charging or healthcare that is not provided
  • Overcharging or double-billing for medical services
  • Prescribing drugs to the elder adult simply to get kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies
  • Over or under medicating
  • Recommending fraudulent remedies for illnesses or other medical conditions
  • Medicaid fraud  

Many times people refuse to report elderly abuse because they assume that the victim has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. When it comes to physical abuse, sometimes people dismiss it as typical bruising or breaking of brittle bones. Any type of physical, emotional, or mental trauma should be reported. It is better to be safe than sorry. Victims and witnesses of abuse should report any suspicious signs and allow the authorities to do their job. Leave the confirmation or dismissal of signs and symptoms to the professionals.

Reasons to Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Here are some interesting nursing home abuse statistics according to the Center for Disease Control and Masters in HealthCare:

• Number of nursing homes in U.S.A.: 16,100
• Current nursing home residents: 1.5 million
• 67% of elder abuse victims are female (33% male)
• 91% of nursing homes lack proper staff to care for patients
• 36% of nursing homes have violated elder abuse laws
• 90% of abusers are known to the victim or their family
• 92% of all nursing home staffs employ at least one convicted criminal
• Over 50% of nursing home residents do not have close immediate family
• 25% of nursing homes have been responsible for a serious injury or wrongful death
• 10% of individuals age 65 or older will spend time in a nursing home
• Around 50% of nursing home patients are suffering from untreated pains

The elderly are abused at an alarming rate around the country. There were almost 6 million cases of elder abuse in the year 2010. That roughly translates to about 10% of the elderly population. 

Just as there are millions of individuals residing in nursing homes, there are also many different types of abuse. StatisticBrain.com offers data to show the different forms of nursing home abuse and what percentage they account for:

• Nursing home neglect: 58.5%
• Physical abuse: 15.7%
• Financial exploitation: 12.3%
• Emotional abuse: 7.3%
• Sexual abuse: 0.04%
• All other types: 5.1%

Neglect is the most common form of nursing home abuse but there can be endless ways for an elderly person to suffer abuse. Individuals should educate themselves on the varying degrees of adult abuse and demand justice.

If you or a loved one has been affected by elderly abuse or a nursing home injury, contact the personal injury attorneys at Morgan & Morgan.

We offer free case reviews at the following link: Morgan & Morgan-Atlanta