Due to the aging of the baby boom generation, the number of elderly people being placed in Pennsylvania nursing homes has significantly increased in recent years. According to the Pennsylvania State Data Center, Pennsylvania has one of the oldest populations in the country. People over the age of 65 account for 16% of the state’s population, which ranks 4th nationally in the percentage of residents aged 65 and over.
For many people, placing a loved one, i.e., a parent, grandparent, disabled sibling or spouse in a nursing home is probably one of the hardest decisions they have to make. Due to the physical or medical condition of their loved ones, care may be needed at all times. Family members may no longer be able to care for their loved ones round-the-clock due to other obligations, such as work. Due to media reports of nursing home abuse and neglect, the decision is especially challenging because family members want to make sure their loved ones are well cared for and not abused by nursing home employees.
Just last week, there was a story in the media about employees abusing residents in a nursing home. Three nursing home workers were jailed after abusing elderly residents, and a fourth worker was given a community sentence. Though the nursing home was in England, it made headlines because of the workers’ extreme abuse. *Source: The Guardian (Hillcroft nursing home care workers jailed for abusing elderly residents)
Elderly patients with dementia in the nursing home were repeatedly tormented, abused and bullied because they could not remember the abuse. One elderly man’s foot was deliberately stamped on, and another was nearly tipped out of his wheelchair. The residents/victims were also pelted with bean bags and balls thrown at their heads “for entertainment.”
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Pennsylvania
When family members hear about this kind of nursing home abuse, they are even more concerned about their loved ones in nursing homes. There are some warning signs of abuse by care takers in nursing homes that family members of nursing home residents can look out for. Some of the warning signs include:
- open wounds or cuts,
- new bruises or welts,
- bed sores and ulcers,
- rapid weight loss, and
- frequent accidents and injuries, such as broken bones.
Abused Nursing Home Residents’ Rights in Pennsylvania
If you suspect your loved one was the victim of nursing home abuse, you should report your suspicions to the nursing home administrator. You should also contact an experienced PA nursing home abuse lawyer who can help guide you and explain your loved one’s legal rights.
In addition, you should contact Pennsylvania’s Ombudsman’s Office to report the abuse. Once a complaint is received, a state investigation will begin. Each county has a local Ombudsman’s office where you can report suspected nursing home abuse.
For nursing home abuse in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware and Bucks counties, call the respective numbers below to file a report.
| Bucks Bucks County Area Agency on Aging 30 East Oakland AvenueDoylestown, PA 18901-4681 (267) 880-5716 www.buckscounty.org/government/departments/HumanServices/Aging/ | Delaware Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) 206 Eddystone Avenue, 2nd Floor Eddystone, PA 19022-1594 (610) 490-1300 / (800) 416-4504 www.delcosa.org |
| Montgomery Montgomery County Aging & Adult Services Human Services Center 1430 DeKalb Street, 2nd Floor Norristown, PA 19404-0311(610) 278-3601 www.montcopa.org/mcaas | Philadelphia – CARIE North Central/South/West 100 South Broad Street, Suite 1500 Philadelphia, PA 19119(215) 545-5724 Website: www.carie.org Philadelphia – Center in the Park Northeast/ Northwest 5818 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144(215) 848-4015 Website: www.centerinthepark.org |
Related PA Nursing Home Negligence Legal Article: Negligence in a Common Nursing Home Fall Accident Case in Pennsylvania & New Jersey – Falls from a Bed or Wheelchair
Pennsylvania & New Jersey Nursing Home Accident & Abuse Lawyers
If you or a loved one was abused in a nursing home or other care facility in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, please call our nursing home abuse and negligence lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation. (215) 985-0777
Our lawyers are skilled at handling nursing home negligence, abuse and assault cases in the Pennsylvania area, including Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Bucks County. Our lawyers also handle nursing home accident cases in the New Jersey area.
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