Protecting the Rights of Your Elderly Loved Ones
Nursing home abuse is much more prevalent than most individuals think, with nearly one-third of all nursing homes in the United States having received at least one citation for elderly abuse or neglect. Families have a number of factors to consider before placing an elderly loved one in a nursing home, but some of the most important to consider are the following:
- More than 40 percent of nursing home residents have reported abuse, and more than 90 percent have reported neglect;
- Nearly half of all nursing home attendants have admitted to committing elderly abuse or neglect at one point or another during their career as a nursing home attendant;
- More than half of all Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in nursing home facilities have admitted to verbally abusing, yelling at, or cursing at elderly care residents.
Additionally, elder abuse is not limited to physical and verbal violence; it is also characterized by neglect. Elderly individuals require a great deal of care and attention. Many have strict dietary needs, medication requirements, and physical and mental limitations that must be catered to. If their special needs are not met, it can mean injury, illness, or even death for the elderly person.
Financial Elderly Abuse
- Misuse of an elderly individual’s checks, accounts, or credit cards;
- Theft of money, checks, or belongings;
- Forging signatures;
- Unauthorized withdrawals or transfer of funds; and
- Theft of the patient’s identity.
Nursing home caregivers use other crafty methods to swindle money from their elderly patients, such as convincing the elderly individual that they have won a “prize,” asking them to donate to phony charities, or even convincing them to participate in fake investment opportunities.
Nursing Home Malpractice
While the statistics of nursing home abuse are quite shocking, they are oftentimes incomplete and outdated. Elderly abuse is a highly underreported crime for a number of reasons, including:
- The normally deteriorated mental and/or physical state of nursing home patients;
- Fear of the caregiver(s);
- A pervasive sense of helplessness; and
- The deliberate and wrongful distribution of medications by caregivers in order to put elderly patients in a lethargic state.
While government officials have taken notice of nursing home abuse and are implementing measures to put an end to the problem, there is only so much they can do without the help of nursing home patients and their families. At Johnston Law Firm, P.C., our Portland, Oregon nursing home abuse attorney recommends hiring legal representation to stand up for your loved one and be the voice of justice they so greatly need.
Consult an Experienced Nursing Home Malpractice Attorney
If you suspect that a loved one suffers from nursing home abuse, do not wait another minute. Contact an Oregon nursing home abuse lawyer today. Our malpractice lawyer, Marc A. Johnston, can help you by gathering and presenting evidence of elderly abuse crimes, and can help to give your loved one the justice that they deserve. To schedule a consultation with attorney Johnston, contact Johnston Law Firm, P.C. at 503-546-3167 or fill out our free confidential case evaluation form. Our hours are flexible by appointment.
Don’t miss out on these common personal injury mistakes.
Get the legal counsel you need to guide you through the process of filing an injury claim.
Free Confidential Case Evaluation
Contact us today at
503-546-3167
to get a FREE, confidential case evaluation
We’re conveniently located in downtown Portland, and we offer flexible hours by appointment.