Nursing Home Abuse Statistics in Virginia
Nursing homes provide millions of Americans with the medical care and emotional support they need during their later years. The majority of these facilities provide patients with exceptional care and most are fully committed to providing patients with the clean and comfortable environment they need.
Unfortunately, there are some nursing homes that neglect patients and hire abusive and manipulative staff members. These nursing homes are usually more driven by profit than compassion, and sadly, their patients pay with their safety, dignity, and health. Government statistics also show nursing home abuse is quickly becoming a nationwide problem.
If you are considering placing your loved one in a nursing home, here are some nursing home abuse statistics in Virginia worth paying attention to.
Important Nursing Home Abuse Statistics
Elder abuse in nursing homes has become a widespread problem in recent years. Unfortunately, the problem seems to be getting worse, and as the population of the country ages, the problem shows no signs of be slowing down. In 2014, there were more than 1.4 million individuals being cared for by nursing homes across the country and more than 835,200 residing in residential care communities.
The statistics related to nursing home abuse change from year to year, but the following national statistics regarding elder abuse in nursing facilities are both shocking and appalling:
- According to the National Ombudsman Reporting System (NORS), there were more than 14,258 complaints of nursing home abuse, neglect, and exploitation made during 2014.
- Abuse perpetrated against residents by other residents is steadily becoming a greater problem than abuse committed by nursing home employees against patients.
- Studies have shown that more than 70 percent of state surveys miss at least one deficiency and approximately 15 percent miss immediate danger and actual patient harm.
The previously mentioned statistics show that even with current preventative measures in place, nursing home abuse in all its forms remains a social problem.
Why Do Patients Refuse to Report Abuse?
Spotting signs of nursing home abuse can be difficult. Often, predatory individuals intimidate victims into silence through the use of physical threats or psychological manipulation. Patients may refuse to report their abuse to nursing home administrators, loved ones, and local law enforcement out of fear of retaliation or further abuse. Patients with mobility impairments, dementia, and other conditions are even less likely to report abuse.
Other patients, even when they do not feel intimidated, may refuse to discuss their mistreatment out of fear of embarrassment or humiliation. Patients may feel they are old enough to stand up for and care for themselves, and falling victim to abuse or emotional manipulation can be difficult for them to process. For this reason, nursing home residents should understand they are never responsible for the abuse they endure, or are subjected to.
Nursing home abuse statistics in Virginia speak for themselves. Fortunately for the victims of abuse, there is a way to hold abusers and the homes that employ them liable. Depending on the circumstances of their case, victims may be able to file a lawsuit against their nursing home for financial compensation if they have been injured.
The Nursing Home Abuse Statistics in Virginia Are Shocking
Elder abuse is a widespread problem, but there are measures state governments and society in general can take to prevent abuse. The nursing home abuse statistics in Virginia may seem startling, but there are ways to hold perpetrators liable for their actions or inaction.
If you have been abused while in the care of a nursing home, it is important to understand your legal options. Contact a lawyer today to avoid becoming a statistic.