We prosecute long-term care facilities for neglect and abuse.

We prosecute long-term care facilities for neglect and abuse.

When a loved one is placed in a nursing home, we expect that the facility will provide them with quality care, dignity, and respect. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Many Georgia nursing home facilities put profits over patient care. This way of operating leads to understaffing and other neglectful practices. When there are not enough nurses or caregivers to care for residents, it’s the residents and their families who suffer.

There are more than 40 million senior citizens living in the United States and over three million Americans who live in a nursing home. Because senior citizens often suffer from mental and physical debilitations, they are considered one of the most vulnerable and at-risk populations in the U.S. They are also at the mercy of nurses, caregivers, and other staff at long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities because many of them cannot care for themselves.

The nursing home abuse lawyers at Dan Chapman & Associates represent victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in the Conyers region. When a nursing home’s negligent acts lead to serious injury or death, we hold the correct people responsible. We strongly believe that all long-term care residents deserve a safe and loving environment, and their families deserve peace of mind that their loved one is being well taken care of. When that doesn’t happen, we hold the facility responsible.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse is defined as intentional mistreatment by a trusted individual or caregiver that creates a risk or harm to a resident. The four main types of abuse include:

• Physical Abuse – a forceful and violent act against a resident or patient.
• Emotional Abuse – verbal attacks, bullying, threats, and insults.
• Sexual Abuse – any nonconsensual contact with a resident based on manipulation, threats, intimidation, or force.
• Financial Abuse – financial exploitation including theft, fraud, and coercion.

What is Nursing Home Neglect?

Nursing home neglect is considered a type of abuse, but it is distinct. Because nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are responsible for residents’ care, including their hygiene, nutrition, personal care, supervision, therapy, and distributing of medications, neglect can occur when a staff member, nurse, or other caregiver fails to attend to a resident’s needs. This often leads to injury or even death. Neglect can also cause emotional damage to a resident.

What Are Some Signs of Abuse or Neglect?

Unfortunately, some residents are unable to verbally express themselves when they are a victim of nursing home abuse. Other residents may not realize they are being abused or neglected, which is why it is important to take an active role in your loved one’s care. Making frequent surprise visits is a good way to ensure your loved one is getting the care they deserve. Talking to your loved one and the nursing home staff and asking them questions is also important.

Below are Some Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Warning Signs:

• Bedsores
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Broken bones or fractures
• Unexplained bruises or lacerations
• Falls
• Chronic hospital visits
• Chronic infections
• Medication errors

Other signs might include:

• Dramatic and unexplained weight loss
• Unkempt rooms
• Poor hygiene
• Residents are fearful, especially around the staff.
• Apathy
• Withdrawn behavior, especially if they were outgoing before being admitted to the facility.
• Agitation
• Depression

DISTURBING STATISTICS

One out of three nursing homes have been cited for resident care violations. This statistic is especially disturbing when you consider that nursing home care violations often go unreported. Many victims are either incapable or sometimes too frightened to alert a family member about the abuse or neglect they are suffering from. If family members are not able to check on the resident living in the facility on a frequent basis, they may not notice or see signs of abuse or neglect.

Some of the recent and alarming statistics include:

• Nearly one in 10 nursing homes has had resident care violations that have caused serious harm, injury, or death to the resident.
• 44% of long-term care residents state they have been abused.
• 95% of long-term care residents say they have been neglected or have witnessed the neglect of other residents.
• Over 50% of nursing home staff members admit to having mistreated a patient.
• Up to 20% of reported falls cause serious injury, and nearly 2,000 residents die from falls each year.

Aging does not diminish a person’s right to live in a safe and secure environment, especially in a nursing home or other long-term care facility. Both state and federal laws are in place to safeguard the elderly from neglect and abuse.

ALWAYS report abuse. ALWAYS get justice.

– National Center on Elder Abuse (+1-855-500-3537 (ELDR))

– National Center for Victims of Crime (+1-202-467-8700)

– National Committee on the Prevention of Elder Abuse 

– Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services (+1-866-552-4464)

If you or your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call our experienced nursing home attorneys today at 678-831-8875 or fill out our free case evaluation and someone will be in touch soon.