How Common is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse is a serious, growing problem in the United States with no sign of slowing down. Every single year, millions of Americans are abused or neglected in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and only a small percentage of these cases are reported. Statistics indicate that anywhere between one and two million adults over the age of 65 have been injured, neglected, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone they depended on for care. In many cases, the abuser is someone they know and is more often than not a person they trust. These statistics are both alarming and disheartening, to say the least. The saddest part is that two million cases of nursing home abuse each year is probably on the low end, as an overwhelming majority of instances go unreported.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Many people think of physical abuse and neglect when they hear the term ‘nursing home abuse’, but these types of cases make up a very small percentage. These are some of the other common forms of nursing home abuse and neglect:

• Assault and battery
• Failure to provide care for existing medical problems
• Deprivation of food or water
• Rape or other forms of sexual assault and battery
• Unreasonable physical restraint
• Seclusion
• Failure to diagnose
• Failure to provide reasonable care
• Financial abuse

As the elderly population in the United States continues to grow at a dramatic rate, we only expect to see more cases of abuse and neglect. Here are a few additional statistics regarding how common nursing home abuse is from the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA):

• An estimated 7.6 to 10 percent of all nursing home residents experienced abuse in the last year
• Nearly one out of every 10 nursing home abuse victims does not report financial abuse
• One out of every 12 cases of nursing home abuse is reported
• For every reported case of abuse, another 24 cases go unreported

While these numbers are undoubtedly shocking, the good news is that the tides may be changing. Over the last several years nursing home abuse has been a hot topic. More and more residents, providers, and caregivers are coming forward and speaking out about abuse and neglect. This is the first step to seeing a reduction in the number of instances of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of nursing home residents. 

How to Spot Nursing Home Abuse

Being aware of the various signs of nursing home abuse is one of the best ways to protect your loved ones and ensure the abuser does not get away with it. Here are some of the most common signs of nursing home abuse:

• Unexplained bruises, lacerations, or marks on the body
• Broken bones, head injuries, or sprains
• Bed sores and infections
• Bloody clothing
• Dehydration or malnutrition
• Changes in behavior
• Out of character agitation
• Sudden weight loss or gain

If you are in need of a nursing home abuse attorney in Dallas, please give Rad Law Firm a call today.