Kentucky Nursing Home Lawyer: Abuse & Neglect Statistics Alarming
The incidence of nursing home neglect and elder abuse in Kentucky and the U.S. is alarming. Studies estimate that approximately 2.1 million older Americans are victims of abuse or neglect. This abuse or neglect is often physical but can also be psychological or even sexual in nature. And these terrible statistics are likely underreported. Some studies suggest that for every case of elder abuse or neglect, there are five cases that are not reported.
Many nursing home residents are simply unable to report abuse or neglect that they suffered or witnessed happening to another resident because of their weakened condition. 66 percent of nursing home residents suffer from cognitive difficulties, including Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, which severely limits their ability to take care of themselves or report abuse or neglect.
Those who are capable of reporting abuse may fear that doing so will result in further abuse. They feel helpless and vulnerable. Many nursing home residents do not have friends or relatives who are able to check on them regularly.
It is important to note that there are some very dedicated competent professionals working in Kentucky's nursing homes and some homes that provide excellent care, are appropriately staffed, and do it the right way. However, neglect and abuse in nursing homes is pervasive and is a problem that seems to be trending in the wrong direction.
Studies suggest that elderly people who have been abused tend to die earlier than those who are not abused, even in the absence of disease or other chronic conditions.
The most common physical manifestations of nursing home neglect which lead to serious injury or death of residents are pressure sores, pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers, and sepsis.
Over 1.6 million people live in licensed nursing homes in the United States and another million live in other long-term care or assisted living facilities. There are approximately 23,000 nursing home residents in Kentucky. They reside in one of Kentucky’s 288 certified nursing facilities. As the baby boomer generation ages, these numbers are projected to increase dramatically in the coming years.
Kentucky’s nursing homes are subject to state government inspection and regulation (but, for the reasons outlined above, often regulators are not aware of abuse and neglect in the nursing homes they are charged with regulating). According to the most recent data, Kentucky regulators found an average of 9 deficiencies per nursing home in Kentucky. That is well above the national average.
One third of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities have been cited for violations that had the potential to lead to abuse and 10 percent were cited for actual physical abuse. 85 percent of nursing home staff blames staffing shortages for the cause of abuse. Staff shortage and under-qualified staff is responsible for even higher numbers with respect to general neglect in nursing homes.
One study found that 44 percent of nursing home residents have suffered some form of abuse. 48 percent reported having been treated or handled roughly. 38 percent reported having witnessed the abuse of others.
Roughly 30 percent of long-term care staff had witnessed some form of physical abuse of a patient in the previous year. 81 percent report having seen some form of verbal, physical, or other form of abuse over this same time period. 40 percent admit to committing such acts at least once over the previous year.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, you have legal rights. Shawn Cantley, a Kentucky lawyer who helps victims of nursing home neglect and abuse, is available to discuss these rights and can be contacted by email at this link: email_shawn, or by phone at (502) 587-2002 or toll free at 1-866-587-0002.
