Patient Abuse in Nursing Facilities Essay

Patient debauch in nurse facilities is becoming more prominent. maltreatment is not only physical, but emotional, sexual, put down and monetary exploitations. The sr. are the most vulnerable and least likely to complain, so unfortunately they are the targets. virtually families research in depth about the nursing facility that they will place their loved one, in hopes that abuse doesnt occur. Although the research is done, families should still font for signs and symptoms of abuse since they are leaving their loved one in strangers hands.According to (Center), A recent investigation concluded that employment checks do not always provide adequate cling toion against elder mistreatment. For instance, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services prohibit nursing central offices from hiring psyches with a prior history of committing abuse in a nursing home setting, but those who suck up been convicted of opposite forms of abuse like child abuse may still be hired. Some s tates require a criminal background check, charm others do not. Even so, these checks usually do not unc everywhere convictions in another state.Furthermore, in some states, non-caregiving module such(prenominal) as maintenance workers and others without a direct patient care role do not nethergo criminal checks even though they may have direct access to patients and patient areas. Understaffing is a common cause of nursing home abuse. When staff members become overworked, they may begin to lose their patience with the nursing home occupants. In addition, understaffing leaves umpteen workers unsupervised or untrained, which outhouse lead to nursing home abuse.Still, physical abuse in nursing homes is illegal, and the owners of the assisted upkeep facility can be held liable if a nonmigratory is subject to nursing home abuse or neglect. Sometimes, it is difficult to identify nursing home nonmigratorys who have been physically abused. Very often, members of the nursing home st aff will state that the residents injuries were the result of a fall rather than the existing causenursing home abuse. In addition, the staff member may bully the resident into agreeing with their story.Because detecting signs of physical nursing home abuse can be difficult, loved ones should pay careful attention when visiting the nursing home. Be aware of the common signs of physical nursing home abuse, including unexplained bruising, cuts, sprains, fractures and dis separateed bones and open wounds. In addition to physical signs, nursing home patients who have been physically abused may also show changes in their behavior. If the resident appears withdrawn, fearful, nervous or depressed, they may be suffering from physical nursing home abuse.The most common type of physical abuse is battery, which can allow in forcing the resident into restraints for no valid reason. Other forms of physical abuse in nursing homes take overmedication, use of excessive restraints, chemical or ph ysical, for no reason, burning, pushing, shoving, squash feeding, hitting the resident with the hand or an object, pulling the residents hair and mishandling the resident when transporting them from beds, bathrooms etc ( (Morgan).According to (Emotional Abuse in Nursing Homes), Emotional abuse in nursing homes is not as overt as other forms of abuse. Regardless, the effects that emotional abuse in nursing homes can result in are damaging to the happiness, health, and other areas of that residents life. Not knowing what signs to look for can allow emotional abuse in nursing homes to continue. oftentimes times, a resident thinks that telling someone about abuse suffered, including emotional abuse in nursing homes, will make them a burden to the family or they feel afraid of enduring an increased amount of abuse.If emotional abuse in nursing homes is occurring the family members should immediately notify the facility. The facility should amend the situation at once but if the emotion al abuse in nursing homes persists, the family should take further action. The chances of the emotional abuse in nursing homes occurring to just one resident are very slim so other residents are probably suffering as well. Emotional abuse in nursing homes can include humiliation, harassment, threat of punishment, deprivation, and intimidation, as well as other behaviors.One of the most pervasive forms of nursing home abuse today is that of neglect. Nursing home neglect is too frequently overlooked and results all too often in a decline in general health and eventually the death of those elderly people entrusted to nursing home care facilities. The problem can occur allwhere and can take many shapes. What makes this particularly sinister is that it can be overlooked or ignored for so long. Even upon repeated visits to a nursing home, the signs of nursing home neglect can remain hidden.In order to understand the scope of the problem, it is important to know the different types of nur sing home neglect and nursing home abuse. The most obvious, most egregious, and the first that comes to mind for many people is physical neglect. Unfortunately common in nursing homes today, neglect takes many forms, however, all of which are disturbing in their own right. Any of the pursuance forms of neglect warrant contacting a nursing home abuse lawyer to bring justice to the victim of neglect, as well as make conditions safer for other residents (Center).According to (Financial Exploitation of Nursing Home Residents), Financial exploitation of the elderly occurs when an individual takes or uses the money or property of a senior for any wrongful use, or with the intent to defraud the elder. Senior citizens who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities can be victims of financial abuse by their direct care give inrs or by the administrators of the nursing homes. Financial exploitation is defined as the wrongful use of an individuals pecuniary resource or property for anothers advantage.This can occur when residents personal or financial resources are taken from them without their consent, either because the residents were incapacitated and unable to give consent or because they were subjected to threats, intimidation, manipulation, and deception. Examples of financial exploitation include cashing an elderly persons checks without authorization, forging a seniors signature, stealing an older persons money or possessions, or deceiving an older person into signing any contract, will, or other document.According to (Nursing Home Abuse), It is critical for every resident to understand their nursing home patient rights in order to successfully acclimate to the very different living environment of a skilled nursing facility. Patients and their families should become well versed in the policies and procedures inherent to life in the facility and must know exactly what they can and should expect when it comes to care and safety.In the US, the federa l government and each state government have written legislation which guarantees each nursing home resident specific and general rights while under professional care. Most foreign counties have similar laws enacted to protect elders from abuse and neglect in nursing facilities, as well. When your loved one is located in a nursing home, it is required that they are given a written bill of patients rights. It is recommended that the family and loved one go over this bill of rights in detail so they are familiar with the rights of their loved one.Most often, nursing home patients cannot defend themselves, due to several different reasons physical health, mental health, social isolation or dependency issues. Unless someone comes forward for these patients, they wont get help and no one is penalized for their actions. Many do not know how to report nursing home abuse, so they remain silent and struggle with their disturbing knowledge of the abuse or neglect. Once the repost is filed, th e make-up that is responsible, will investigate thoroughly and will hold the person/persons responsible for their actions.If you are a family member and suspect any minor abuse or neglect, it is always wise to report the activity to the nursing home administrator directly. Tell them that you have evidence of the abuse and that you intend to take this matter as far as it will go. Do not back down. If the infraction is minor and resulted in no real damage, then you may consider allowing them to aim the staff member internally. Just be sure to watch out for any retribution which may come back to your loved one if the staff member is not fired.If the infraction is more serious or you do not feel completely confident that the matter will be colonized in the best interest of your loved one, then take the concern one step further. Immediately call police and report the incident. Additionally, contact grownup protective services, your ombudsman, your local nursing home regulatory agency a nd Medicare, if applicable. You might also consider consulting with a nursing home abuse attorney and register a civil lawsuit (Nursing Home Abuse).Although abuse in nursing facilities is becoming more prominent, there are several things that family members can do to protect their loved one from being a victim from this horrible crime. The elderly are very vulnerable, but they do not deserve the abuse that the under paid, aggravated staff member may give them. If someone suspects abuse in a nursing facility, they should report it immediately. If not, this makes you just as guilty.