Pennsylvania’s residents continue to grow older, and the number of Pennsylvanians aged 65 years and over has reached 2 million. Since 2010, Pennsylvania’s elderly population has grown by 4.3% according to the Pennsylvania State Data Center.
Many families are faced with the decision to put a loved one in a nursing home due to the loved one’s medical and physical conditions. It is an emotionally challenging decision because families want to make sure their loved ones are receiving excellent care.
Unfortunately, with the increasing need to put more elderly people into nursing homes, the sad reality is that abuse often occurs. Nursing home abuse and neglect often result from the willingness of many nursing home companies to maximize their profits at the expense of their patients’ safety.
Nursing Home Abuse in Pennsylvania
There are different types of nursing home abuse elderly residents may unfortunately encounter:
- physical abuse,
- psychological abuse,
- financial abuse, or
- sexual abuse.
These types of abuse are not exclusive of each other. In fact, oftentimes, a nursing home resident will suffer different types of abuse at the same time. For instance, a resident who is being physically abused is also often being psychologically abused. An elderly nursing home resident who is psychologically abused may also be financially abused. There are signs and warnings family members can watch for to help protect their loved ones in a Pennsylvania nursing home. See below for warning signs family members can watch out for if a loved one is in a nursing home in Pennsylvania.
Physical and Psychological Nursing Home Abuse
Physical abuse is exactly what it sounds like. Elderly residents may be hit, punched, pushed, choked, and slapped intentionally by the nursing home staff. Other physical abuse may also include restraining residents to bed rails or wheelchairs.
Psychological abuse occurs when nursing home residents are abused emotionally through the nursing home employees’ verbal assaults or physical acts. For example, the nursing home staff may yell, belittle and/or threaten elderly residents.
Family members should look out for the following signs of nursing home abuse:
- unexplained bruises, marks and cuts on the body,
- unexplained accidents or injuries,
- increased agitation or distress, and/or
- depression or withdrawal.
What to do if you Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Pennsylvania
First, you should report the suspected abuse to the nursing home administrator and local law enforcement for further investigation. Second, you can contact the local Ombudsman’s office to report the abuse to initiate an investigation by the state. For more information, see: Nursing Home Abuse: A Sad, but Real Reality
Pennsylvania & New Jersey Nursing Home Accident & Abuse Lawyers
When nursing home residents are abused, they have legal rights and may be entitled to financial compensation. If you suspect that your loved one is being abused in a Pennsylvania nursing home, take action now. Your loved one has the right to be treated with respect and dignity. Call our nursing home abuse 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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