According to a recent CDC report on long-term care providers, over 67,000 nursing and other elder care facilities in the U.S. provided residential services to over 9 million aging Americans in 2013-2014. Many of these facilities provide high quality care for their aging residents.
However, some of these 9 million residents encountered neglect or abuse. In fact, according to the ABC news site, a study showed that 30% of nursing home facilities were cited for elderly abuse over a 2-year period. Despite this seemingly large percentage of cases of abuse, elder abuse is considerably underreported.
A congressional report indicated that over a 2-year period, nearly 10% of nursing homes had violations that caused serious injury to residents . And reports indicate that the number of cases against elderly residents is increasing. Perhaps even more shocking, the Atlanta Long-Term Care Ombudsman study revealed that 95% of respondents had witnessed another resident being abused or neglected in a nursing home facility.
Obviously, any type of abuse is intolerable. But elder abuse is particularly alarming because many of the victims are either insufficiently aware, unable, or too scared to communicate the abuse or neglect. Consequently, the abuse statistics we see are significantly underreported.
There are several types of abuse that have been inflicted on seniors in nursing homes and other facilities including physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, and financial exploitation.
• Physical Abuse – causing physical pain or injury from hitting, bruising, or restraining
• Sexual Abuse – imposed non-consensual sexual contact
• Emotional Abuse – inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts including intimidation and humiliation.
• Neglect – failing to protect or failing to provide food, shelter, or proper care
• Financial Exploitation – illegally misusing or concealing property or assets including misuse of credit/debit cards, withdrawing from accounts and using the money for self benefit, and unauthorized money transfers.
How can you determine if your loved has been or is being abused? Click here to learn what you need to look for.
All fifty states now have special laws to protect residents from elder abuse. If you suspect that your loved one has been or is currently being abused:
1. Call 9-1-1 and Adult Protective Services at 1-800-962-2873 or http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/adult-protective-services/report-abuse.
2. After notifying the proper authorities, contact a trustworthy Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. attorney at (954) 428-9333 so we can help you make other living arrangements for your loved one, conduct a thorough investigation, and file the appropriate documents to initiate a case against the perpetrator.
Do not confront the alleged perpetrator by yourself. Discuss this with your attorney and let he or she determine the best way to manage the case.
For more information, visit www.acl.org, the Administration for Community Living from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Goldman & Daszkal, P.A.
Since 1990, Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. has provided reputable legal representation to people throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties. The firm has helped thousands of individuals recover compensation from motor vehicle and boating accidents, slip and fall accidents, product defect and liability cases, pharmacy errors, and negligent security cases to cover medical expenses, pay bills, take care of their families, and return to work. Goldman & Daszkal, P.A. can help you get the relief you need to start living your life again after a serious injury. For a free and confidential consultation, contact Goldman & Daszkal, P.A., at (954) 428-9333.