New York Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans age 85 and older are the fastest growing segment of the national population. It is estimated that two out of every five Americans will need long-term care at some point in their lives. It is expected that the demand for nursing home care will rise so significantly that it will outweigh the supply of such elderly care. Thus, this need also increases the risk of facility abuse and neglect due to inefficiencies and inadequate care.

Elder abuse can include various instances of harm inflicted on the residents of nursing homes. Residents of a nursing home often experience injuries when their care providers inflict harm that may include manipulation, humiliation, physical, verbal and sexual abuse. In the U.S. more than 5,000 nursing homes were cited for abuse violations in the past several years. That accounts for more than 30 percent of the United States' nursing homes.

Nursing Home Abuse in New York

In New York and elsewhere, inadequate staff, minimally qualified staff members and caregivers, insufficient training, and poor regulation all contribute to nursing home abuse. The results of this negligent treatment can be serious and life-threatening, including:

• Poor care and maintenance
• Isolation
• Medication errors
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Physical abuse

With the elder population on the rise in New York, nursing home families and caregivers should provide the care they promise and treat elderly patients with the care and dignity they deserve. When this is overlooked and care is neglected, it is important to note any instances or evidence of nursing home abuse and report it to the appropriate authorities in a timely fashion.

Quick Facts About Nursing Homes in the United States

• Most nursing facilities (66 percent) are operated for profit.
• More than half of all these homes in the United States are operated as part of a chain. This has resulted in fewer, but larger, facilities.
• More than half of American elder care facilities (54 percent) are below the suggested minimum staffing level for nurse's aides.
• Nurse's aides are the lowest paid and least trained of all nursing home staff members, but they most often feed and bathe patients.
• Nearly one in every four nursing homes (23 percent) are below the suggested minimum staffing level for total licensed staff.
• Nearly one-third of these homes (31 percent) are below the suggested minimum staffing level for registered nurses.
• The minimum staffing level for registered nurses is only 12 minutes per day per patient.
• Low staffing levels in America's care facilities contribute to an increase in severe bedsores, malnutrition and dehydration, which lead to increased hospitalization.

What Can You Do if You Notice Nursing Home Abuse?

It is important to be sensitive to issues of nursing home abuse. Nursing homes are consistently cited with violations of state and federal law and vulnerable elders continue to be helpless victims of widespread neglect. Often, nursing facilities operate to house their elder patients at the lowest cost possible at the expense of their residents. Negligence and abuse in nursing homes have unfortunately become all too common. If you suspect an instance of nursing home abuse, you should document any evidence you may have and contact the proper authorities.

Contact the NY Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys at the Finz Firm

If you, a family member or friend has suffered due to nursing home abuse, contact the Finz firm now toll free at (855) TOP-FIRM or fill out the free nursing home abuse case evaluation form.