According to the American Geriatric Society, between 700,000 and 1.2 million elderly individuals are subjected to abuse in the United States, with 450,000 new cases every year. Research also suggests that only approximately one-fourth of nursing home abuse cases are actually reported. This means that three-fourths of abuse goes unreported.

Since 1996, the number of nursing homes reported to adult protective services agencies has tripled. Before we can understand this, we must question what constitutes abuse?

The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) and other agencies describe abuse in the following terms:
•    Physical abuse
•    Sexual abuse
•    Emotional abuse
•    Neglect

Physical abuse is when a caregiver intentionally uses physical force that causes pain and/or injury. Acts that are described as physical abuse include hitting, kicking, pushing, shaking, burning, beating with hands or objects, and other acts such as tying down an individual with straps that eventually cause bruises or skin tears. It is hard to imagine an elderly person enduring such abuse, but unfortunately, it is very common. Another form of this type of abuse includes over or under medicating a patient.

Sexual abuse mostly includes forced sexual acts with a resident such as rape. Any nonconsensual sexual activities such as inappropriate touching or photographing are also included in this category.

Emotional abuse submerges when caregivers cause psychological or mental harm to patients. This abuse includes the infliction of pain through humiliation, intimidation, harassment, insults, and threats. When a resident is subjected to this type of abuse, it is very likely that he or she will become isolated as a result of mental anguish.

Neglect is, just as the other forms of abuse, very serious. Neglect of an elderly or dependent individual living in a nursing home can be deadly. Neglect occurs when the caregiver intentionally or unintentionally fails to provide proper care as required by the individual. Examples of this abuse include but are not limited to failure to give the dependant individual water or food regularly, failure to take individual to the toilet, failure to prevent pressure or bed sores, and failure to give proper medical attention. Negligence is directly related to understaffed and under qualified employees working in nursing homes across the United States.

Abuse, as stated, is extremely serious and should be taken as such. Being properly educated on what constitutes abuse is the best defense when a loved one is a resident in a nursing home facility.

For help with your nursing home abuse case, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer with Jim S. Adler & Associates for a free case review.