Neglect and Abuse in Our Nursing Homes

Nursing facilities are where the elderly are admitted to receive care and assistance in their day to day live. Unfortunately sometimes the elderly receive something other than care. Many elderly become the victims of abuse while they are residents in long term care facilities. This is not an aspect witch long term care highlights but it’s something that is well known in the industry. Long term care facilities pride themselves in giving the best care possible for the elderly and do not encourage the act of resident abuse by employees, but unfortunately it is something that occurs from time to time.

A congressional report says nearly one-third of US nursing homes have been cited for abuse. The kind of abuse is not only neglect but anywhere from bunching innocent elderly to choking them. This is something that needs to be put to a stop.  How can this be done? Nursing homes must make it a priority to conduct background checks of all employees and volunteers. Our elder are somewhat helpless for those who cannot speak or think clearly from age; that is why they need to be spoken for.

All 50 states have laws against elder abuse. They are dare different in each state but in general elderly abuse by law means; physical and sexual abuse, neglecting or deserting an older person and taking or misusing an elderly’s person’s money or property. Many years ago my mother worked in a nursing home helping elderly people with ADLs. She told me many stories of fellow employees abusing the residents of the nursing home. She told me about how workers would neglect residents by leaving them in soiled clothing. She told me about a case that was so bad that a resident actually died because the stay with fecal matter for 5 days. She also told me horror stories on how employees would lose patients.    

Elderly abuse is a serious problem; those who take advantage and abuse innocent elderly people need to be convicted. Our nursing facilities have to make an improvement in standard and enforcing background check for all employees hired. Our loved ones are important to us; that is why we want them to be safe where they are cared for.