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As our population ages, the need for long-term care facilities becomes more and more prevalent. Unfortunately, with this increase in nursing homes comes an increase in abuse. Every year, thousands of elderly individuals are abused in these facilities, and the problem does not seem to be getting any better.
2 in 3 Nursing Home Staff Admit to Committing Abuse
This statistic is both shocking and appalling. It’s hard to believe that the very people who are supposed to be taking care of our elderly loved ones are the ones harming them. Unfortunately, this is all too often the case.
Women are More Likely to be Abused
In fact, women are 66 percent more likely to be abused in a nursing home, according to the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC). This is likely due to the simple fact that women make up the vast majority of nursing home residents. With a longer life expectancy than men, more older women are in need of long-term care.
Poor Mental Health Increases the Risk of Abuse
Elderly individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are at a higher risk of being abused. This is due to the fact that they may be unable to communicate what is happening to them or may not even realize that they are being abused.
50 percent of elders with dementia are either abused or neglected inside nursing homes. This statistic is particularly alarming because it means that those who are already vulnerable and in need of extra care are the ones being harmed the most.
1 in 5 Elders Experienced Abuse During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has only made the problem of nursing home abuse worse. This is likely because many nursing homes were not prepared to deal with the pandemic and did not have the resources or protocols in place to protect their residents. Nursing home abuse saw an 83.6 percent increase since before COVID-19.
Physical Abuse is Not Uncommon
Sadly, physical abuse is present in virtually any nursing home setting. 24.3 percent of residents experienced at least one form of physical abuse inside a nursing home or long-term care facility. This can include anything from being pushed or shoved to sexually assaulted.
Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in Wilmington, NC
No elderly person should have to suffer abuse or neglect, especially at the hands of someone you thought you could trust. If you believe that your loved one is suffering abuse or neglect while inside a nursing home, Daniel, Holoman & Associates LLP wants to help. Our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys will fight to get your loved one the justice they deserve.
If you think your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, call us today at (866) 380-2281 for a free consultation.