Whether you are looking for a nursing home, have a loved one in a nursing home, or you are conducting your long-term care planning, selecting a nursing home can be quite the ordeal. Today, new nursing homes appear regularly. This adds to the list of choices, but also increasing the risks for residents.
Between 2012 and 2050, the U.S. will see a substantial growth in the elder population. By 2050, it is estimated that the total number of citizens over the age of 65 will hit 83.7 million. Nursing homes open their doors to accommodate the growing demand for out-of-home care. And while many take care of their residents properly, there are others that provide substandard care. Worse, there are a few that neglect or outright abuse their residents.
In 2014, the number of nursing home residents in the country spiked to 1.4 million, and the number of care communities in the country hit 835,200. The National Ombudsman Reporting System (NORS) states that 7.6 percent of complaints they received in 2014 involved allegations of abuse or neglect.
Unfortunately, the National Center on Elder Abuse states that this crime is heavily underreported. Victims are often too scared to report the abuse, or they suffer from chronic conditions that prevent them from reporting it (e.g., dementia).
It is up to families to recognize the signs of abuse and to seek justice against perpetrators. When family members understand the signs of abuse, they must file a complaint and prove that their allegations are true. This burden can be overwhelming for loved ones. But with the assistance of a nursing home abuse attorney, the process can be more straightforward.
Whether it was a one-time event or chronic episodes of abuse, you have the right to hold those parties accountable for their egregious acts. Understand your