If you live in a nursing home or one of your family members stays in a long-term care facility, it is important to understand how prevalent nursing home abuse actually is. Sadly, many instances of nursing home abuse are never addressed and those who violate the rights of nursing home residents are able to get away with their actions (and continue to abuse other residents).
From physical abuse to emotional mistreatment and sexual misconduct, nursing home abuse takes many forms and victims need to firmly stand up for their rights.
Reviewing statistics on the prevalence of nursing home abuse
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, a study found that more than half of all nursing home workers admitted they mistreated nursing home residents in the past year. Moreover, 51% of CNAs who were interviewed in a survey confessed that they had yelled at residents in the past 12 months and 23% stated that they swore or yelled at residents. Also, 17% admitted to grabbing, pushing or shoving residents in the last year.
Reviewing the impact of mistreatment in nursing homes
Aside from threatening a resident’s physical well-being, nursing home abuse can result in many other devastating consequences. For example, many victims struggle from an emotional point of view, whether they develop an anxiety disorder or have a hard time due to depression. If you have experienced nursing home abuse firsthand, you need to take a firm stand for your legal rights and hold those responsible for the mistreatment accountable. If your loved one was abused, do what you can to prevent further mistreatment.
