7 Facts About Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes

Babyboomers had a great reminder. The website listed facts about elder abuse. Look out for your loved ones.

1. The Percentage of Nursing Homes That Have Elderly Abuse is Very High

In the U.S., in 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that sixty-one percent of nursing homes were identified with five or more incidents of elder abuse.

2. Elderly Abuse is Among the Most Repressed Crimes in the United States

The elderly in the U.S. are generally not taken seriously when it comes to their physical or mental health. Many cases of senior abuse go unreported due to the assumption that it’s just part of life and that they’ve earned the right to have a little unpleasantness.

3. In Many Cases, Elder Abuse is a Result of Neglected or Medicated Seniors

In many cases, elder abuse is a result of neglect. Many feel that the elderly are safe and well cared for in nursing homes.

4. Cases of  Elder Abuse Linked to Poor Administration of Medication

Medication is usually the last line of defense for elderly citizens who have become victims of elder abuse. In some cases, seniors are left at the mercy of medicated nurses under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs.

5. Elder Abuse is Just One of the Causes of the More Popular Mental Health Issues Among the Elderly

Elderly citizens are among those that are affected most by traumatic events in their lives. Often, their adult children may be too busy with their families and careers to visit their elderly parents or have the time to assist them with matters like paying their bills.

6. Some Laws Protect the Elderly from Abuse

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, every state in the U.S. has laws that protect the elderly from abuse. These laws include both criminal and civil provisions. For these laws to be effective, especially in cases of neglect or financial abuse, the family members or caregivers of an elder should be aware of their rights and responsibilities so that they may make appropriate decisions in protecting the elder from harm.

7. The Elderly Are Vulnerable to Abuse Due to The Deprivation of Their Privacy and Independence

When it comes to the elderly, they are more vulnerable to abuse because they are deprived of their privacy and independence. In many cases, elders lose their freedom slowly due to various causes such as illness, divorce, or the death of a spouse.

Elderly abuse is a sad reality that elderly citizens in the U.S. must endure daily. It is essential for family members and caregivers to be honest about the conditions of their elderly relatives and to regularly visit them. There are laws to protect seniors from abuse in nursing homes. However, everyone has a moral responsibility to do more to help prevent this form of abuse.