Nursing Home Abuse Increases with Bad Economy

 

It's one of the most difficult moments between a parent and child -admitting the parent to a nursing home. It's the acknowledgement that your mother, father, uncle, or other loved one will require some form of assistance for the rest of their life. So it may make that hard decision even harder to find that nursing home and assisted living abuse is increasing across the state of West Virginia (WV), Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC) as the elderly become more dependent in times of economic difficulty. 

In 2009 alone there were over 12,700 referrals in West Virginia regarding the abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of seniors.  Experts say that when 2010's numbers are totaled, "that number will increase" and cites the economy as one reason.

Economic strife can increase tension in homes and lead to greater enrollment in nursing home facilities.  Also as the elderly lose their financial freedom they are more and more dependent on these facilities.  So why do they stay?

The answer is many of them have no where else to go.  They may also be afraid to voice their concerns; say for example, you are an older individual with a physical disability and you tell your caretaker to go away, then who would take care of you?

Also your loved one may not be able to tell you about the nursing home abuse because some  nursing home workers may use over medication as a way to restrain patients. For example, a patient who needs regular attention may be given opiates in order to keep them asleep or in bed. Medically restraining a patient drastically lowers their wellbeing and quality of life and could have serious repercussions on their health.

If you detect an adverse change or your loved one complains of not receiving adequate treatment, consult with a lawyer right away. Your loved one may be the victim of nursing home abuse and action needs to be taken to right this wrong.

CA.