Nursing home facilities are supposed to provide care for vulnerable residents. Not only is this an expectation, but it is a legal obligation. Nursing homes that fall short of the industry standard can be held liable.
Nursing home abuse can take numerous forms, but violence is one of the most serious types of abuse. Who is most likely to commit nursing home abuse?
Staff members
While most nursing home staff take pride in their work and do their best to care for residents, some staff fail in this duty. Studies indicate that up to 64% of nursing home staff have admitted carrying out some sort of abuse.
Common types of abuse include neglect, verbal abuse, psychological torment and even physical violence. While there are no justifications for these types of behavior, perpetrators often cite understaffing as a key reason for becoming so angry with residents.
Other residents
It’s not only staff members who carry out physical abuse in nursing homes. Some residents are also prone to this behavior. They can bully and intimidate others in nursing home settings, and this can manifest itself in physical violence.
Even when residents are responsible for carrying out the abuse, it is still the responsibility of nursing home staff to prevent and deal with that abuse, to protect those being abused and to report it to the nursing home management. A failure to do this could result in the nursing home being held liable.
If you’re concerned about a beloved family member who is facing nursing home abuse, it’s important to act promptly. Seek legal guidance to discuss your options in more detail.