Iowa Elder Abuse in Care Facilities

As America’s population ages, more and more elderly people will seek care in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted care facilities and long-term care hospitals. Some individuals and families may worry about the quality of care they or their loved one will receive particularly when cases of elder abuse have been reported in some of these facilities.

Although there are a number of state and federal regulations in place to protect vulnerable seniors from elder abuse and neglect, not all facilities play by the rules.

Research reveals that nearly one in three U.S. nursing homes have been cited for violations of standards and ninety-five percent of residents sampled indicated that they had either suffered neglect or had witnessed other residents being neglected. Scarily, more than 50 percent of nursing home staff admitted to mistreating, neglecting or abusing nursing home residents in the prior year.

Ask Questions
If you or a family member is considering a care facility, remember that safety and health trump all other considerations. If you discover that a home has had safety and health violations, it is important to ask questions regarding how problems were resolved and gain a sense of the overall responsiveness of administrators.

Uncover Details About Staffing
Adequate staffing is critical to ensure that residents have a safe and healthy environment. Take a look at the level of time nurses are able to spend with patients, whether caretakers have consistent assignments to residents, whether there is a reliance on temporary help, and inquire about staff turnover. This ensures that residents can build relationships and will feel more comfortable and secure. Observe how residents and staff interact – respectful engagement is key- and determine the facility’s engagement in the local community.

If you or a family member has been a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, contact the Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for help today. Iowa has regulations regarding the rights to which each nursing home resident is entitled. Holding care facilities accountable for their actions will protect your interests and the well-being of other residents.