Elder abuse is a pervasive problem that often goes unchecked. In some nursing homes across our country, little to nothing is done to protect the livelihoods of the elderly, who do not always have the ability to advocate for themselves.
It is a substantiating reason why nursing homes get a bad rep in the community of aging adults.
Elder abuse is the act, or the lack of appropriate action, of bringing harm or causing distress to an older person in which the relationship expectation is assumed respect, trust and care. This violates their human rights and has a damaging effect on their mental and physical health.
Physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial and material abuse, including abandonment and neglect, are types of elder abuse cases taking place at nursing homes by staff and/or visitors.
Many cases are swept under the rug by nursing homes or are unreported due to fear and shame. A community of, more or less, harmless people are left in grave circumstances with bad people under the supervision of negligent institutions.
Lack of awareness can no longer be the excuse when in dire times people are dying ahead of their time at the hands of elder abuse.
Statistics
Elder abuse is an important public health issue because of the impending rise of the aging population in America.
The 2018 census reported 52.4 million adults are 65 years and older. The United States Census Bureau is anticipating an increase to 80 million by 2040, due to the aging baby boom generation.
Each year, 5 million elders are abused in nursing homes and in the community. Which is largely underestimated because only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported.
A national survey of nursing home staff showed 36% of nursing home residents witnessed at least
Overall, 1 in 10 Americans ages 60 and older have experienced some form of elder abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse classified 11.6% reported psychological abuse, 6.8% for both financial exploitation and sexual abuse, 4.2% were neglected and 2.6% were physically abused.
The elderly living in nursing homes are defenseless due to physical and/or cognitive difficulties, and the onset of specific illnesses makes them more vulnerable to manipulation and harm.
With one-third of nursing home patients on antipsychotic drugs, there is the ongoing issue of overmedication or the improper distribution of medication. It is estimated 50% of dementia patients experience some form of abuse or neglect.
At the rate of which the senior population is growing, it is of grave importance to bring awareness to elder abuse for it to end.
How to identify elder abuse?
Many forms of elder abuse are hard to identify, specifically psychological abuse which is the least obvious.
Complaints of elder abuse are usually called out by the victims or their families. The most common three complaints include delayed responses to calls for assistance, lack of social interaction with other residents and/or family members and poor quality of food.
Considering the common complaints, it may be easiest to identify a solution to the problem.
For those looking to understand more about recognizing and addressing these issues, it is essential to know how to identify and report elder abuse in Atlanta.
Understanding the specific elder abuse laws in Georgia can also provide valuable insights into the legal framework designed to protect the elderly.
If you suspect that a loved one is being abused in a nursing home, it is crucial to seek legal assistance.
An Atlanta nursing home abuse attorney can help navigate the complexities of the legal system and ensure that the rights of your loved one are protected.