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Nursing Home Abuse Growing Problem

Nursing home negligence and abuse is a growing problem in the United States.

As the general population of the United States ages, the demands placed on our medical system to care for our elderly loved ones have also grown. At this time, there are approximately 34 million people over the age of 65, and nearly one in twenty of those elderly Americans will eventually require some form of assisted living.

Sadly, our senior citizens are much too frequently becoming the victims of intentional abuse and neglect in our nursing homes and assisted living facilities, especially when those places are understaffed or staffed with uncaring and/or untrained healthcare professionals.

What Types of Abuse Occur?

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), elder abuse is the term used to refer to any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm to a vulnerable adult.

Abuse of an elderly person's finances is the most common form of elder abuse; however, there are many other kinds including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and abandonment.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the use of physical force resulting in bodily injury, physical pain or impairment. Acts of physical abuse may include striking with a hand or object, beating, pushing, shaking, slapping, kicking, and burning. Force-feeding an elder adult is also considered physical abuse as is the inappropriate use of physical restraints.

Bruises, abrasions, burns, or broken bones
Open wounds or cuts
Broken eyeglass and other signs of being subjected to punishment
Sudden change in behavior

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is non-consensual contact with an elderly person that can include unwanted touching, sexual assault or battery such as rape, sodomy and sexually explicit photographing.

Bruises around breasts and genital area
Unexplained venereal disease or infection
Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
Torn or bloody undergarments

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the infliction of pain or distress through verbal and nonverbal acts such as insults, threats, humiliation, intimidation and harassment.

Being upset or agitated
Being withdrawn and non-communicative
Unusual behavior

Neglect

Neglect is the failure to fulfill any part of a person's obligations to take care of the elder.

Malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores, or poor hygiene
Untreated health problems
Unsanitary living conditions

Abandonment

Abandonment is the desertion of the elder adult by an individual who is supposed to be taking care of him or her.

The elder is left at the hospital or nursing facility
The elder is left at a public place such as a shopping mall or church

Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation is the most common type of abuse found in older adults and is defined as the illegal or improper use of an elder's funds, property or assets. Checks may be cashed that belong to the elder adult, signatures may be forged, and possessions may be stolen.

Sudden changes in financial situation
Additional names found on the elder's accounts
Unauthorized withdrawals of money
Disappearance of possessions
Unexplained transfers of funds
Evidence of forged signatures

If you live in Baltimore or anywhere in Maryland, please visit the website of the experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at Cohen & Dwin, P.A. today.

Full post as published by The Personal Injury Lawyer Directory on May 29, 2008 (boomark / email).