Statistics Don’t Lie

Elder abuse is more common than you think. Whether it’s abuse, neglect, or exploitation, out of the approximately 3.5 million Americans who reside in nursing homes, one study showed that almost 45% reported being abused and 95% reported experiencing or witnessing neglect.

It has been shown that elder abuse leads to a 300% higher risk of death, higher levels of distress, additional health care problems, and depression.

The financial impact of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation is staggering. Medical costs are estimated to add over five billion dollars to the nation’s annual health expenses. Financial losses from elder exploitation were estimated to be almost three billion dollars.

The Silent Killer

Dehydration has long been referred to as the silent killer of nursing home residents. When the body loses more water than it takes in, kidney failure, coma, and often death can occur. Inadequate staffing and poor supervision have been blamed for nursing home dehydration. Medical studies reveal that nurse’s aides intentionally limit the amount of liquid intake to keep urinary output levels at bay.

Brian P. Murphy knows the warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Schedule a free consultation today.

Sudden, Unexpected Health Decline

The elderly might be fragile but many are in stable condition prior to entering a nursing home or assisted living facility; most only require custodial care. A family never expects to discover that an elderly loved one is the subject of nursing home abuse and neglect. This ill treatment quickly degrades the elder’s health and results in unacceptable conditions.

It’s not always immediately obvious if your loved one is suffering from this type of ill treatment. For example, you may hear that bed sores are part of the aging process and that falls are unavoidable; however, these are often just excuses for lack of attentive care and proper supervision.

Malnutrition in the Elderly

Malnutrition is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition. When lacking proper nutrition, it is difficult for the elderly to ward off infections, which can ultimately lead to death. Most noteworthy, nursing homes and assisted living facilities make matters worse by serving meals that are unappetizing, cold, bland, or not suitable to the residents. Furthermore, residents need proper nutrition to take with many of their prescription medications. The importance of recognizing and preventing malnutrition cannot be overestimated. Contact nursing home abuse Brian Murphy immediately to learn more about malnutrition and nursing homes.

Addressing Rampant Neglect in Long-Term Care Facilities

In 1987, Congress passed OBRA (the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). This legislation was designed to “address divergent standards existing in nursing home care,” i.e., to improve the quality of care at nursing homes and other extended care facilities. The reason for this legislation is to combat the ongoing issues often found at these homes, such as:

• Understaffing (aka, insufficient staffing)
• Poorly trained and/or overworked staff
• False charting
• And more

The key behind this legislation is that there is “rampant neglect in long-term care facilities” and that a “resident’s condition should not worsen as a result of being placed in the nursing home.”

Nursing home malpractice attorney, Brian Murphy, devotes 100% of his legal practice to addressing the abuse and neglect often found at these facilities. If you suspect nursing home malpractice has occurred or is taking place, please don’t wait any longer. Contact a qualified nursing home malpractice attorney, such as Brian P. Murphy, Esquire, for a free consultation.