Nursing home neglect and abuse is a plague on the elderly population in the United States. In recent times, statistics reveal that over half of nursing home staff admitted to mistreating residents within the past year. Unfortunately, neglect and abuse in nursing homes take different forms, such as emotional, physical, and financial harm, and can leave elderly residents traumatized.
Physical neglect is one form of nursing home neglect where caregivers fail to provide basic hygiene and assistance to residents. Such caregivers fail to keep residents' surroundings and articles in a clean and safe state. Emotional neglect, on the other hand, occurs when staff ignores a patient's requests for assistance or forces them into isolation. This form of neglect can lead to emotional trauma for the elderly and worsen pre-existing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
It is important to watch out for warning signs of nursing home neglect and abuse to protect loved ones. Such signs include unexplained injuries, sudden weight loss, bedsores, poor personal hygiene, and frequent arguments between caregivers and residents. Failing to act fast when these kinds of signs appear can lead to further harm to the resident's health.
Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse are often unreported, and many instances remain undisclosed. Residents may feel too scared or confused to speak out, while others may not have access to phones or the internet to seek for help. If you are concerned about a loved one's safety, it's important to report any signs of nursing home neglect and abuse to a relevant authority.
To hold those responsible for neglect and abuse accountable, report such occurrences to the nursing home administrator and the adult protective services. Also, contact a personal injury attorney who specializes in nursing home abuse cases to take legal action on your behalf. It is important to have an understanding of the legal rights and options available to advocates for nursing home residents who have been subjected to neglect or abuse.
In conclusion, elderly individuals have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to receive proper care, and to live in a healthy environment in nursing homes. Nursing home neglect and abuse crimes rob families of their loved ones, and it is necessary to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Understanding the warning signs of neglect and taking swift actions in response to them is essential in protecting a loved one in a nursing home setting.
Here are some resources for reporting nursing home neglect in New York:
1. New York State Department of Health Nursing Home Survey Results: https://profiles.health.ny.gov/nursing_home
This website provides information on nursing homes in the state of New York, including the results of surveys and inspections.
2. New York State Office of the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit: https://ag.ny.gov/medicaid-fraud-control-unit
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates and prosecutes allegations of Medicaid provider fraud and patient abuse in New York.
3. New York State Office for the Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: https://aging.ny.gov/long-term-care-ombudsman-program
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program provides free and confidential assistance to individuals who reside in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes.
4. New York State Attorney General's Health Care Bureau: https://ag.ny.gov/bureau/health-care-bureau
The Health Care Bureau investigates and prosecutes fraudulent and abusive practices by healthcare providers, including nursing homes, in New York.
5. New York State Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer: https://www.lvlawny.com
This website provides information on nursing home abuse and neglect in New York and how to find a lawyer who specializes in this area.
These resources can help individuals report nursing home neglect and abuse in New York and take appropriate legal actions.
