Is elder abuse common at nursing homes in Illinois? If you’re wondering, you’re not alone. It’s a growing and serious problem, but people may not be aware of it or they may think that it won’t happen to them or someone they know. The truth is that elder abuse can happen anywhere. When it does, you should consult with a nursing home abuse lawyer Elmhurst Illinois. At Carlson Bier Associates, our attorneys will make sure you are reimbursed for any harm that happened to your loved ones.
Even in residential facilities where the elderly are supposed to receive care from medical professionals and other staff members who are trained for this job, abuse can and does happen. In fact, nursing home employees are often the ones who commit abuse on residents and it’s not always easy for these victims to get help. If you’re worried about your loved one’s safety or happiness while living at a nursing home facility there are ways to deal with these types of situations so your family member doesn’t suffer any further harm at the hands of an abuser.
Elder abuse is a growing and serious problem
The number of reported cases of elder abuse is growing, but that doesn’t mean that it’s common. The fact is, most cases go unreported because they’re not reported by the victim or their family members.
Doctors and nurses are required to report suspected cases of elder abuse if they see any evidence at all that something may be wrong with your loved one. They don’t have to wait until this person has been injured or killed before taking action. They can help prevent further injury or death by reporting what they see now!
If you suspect something might be going on in your parent’s nursing home, ask for a tour and meet with staff members who work directly with him/her on a regular basis. You should also contact authorities and meet with a nursing home abuse lawyer Elmhurst Illinois to pursue a personal injury claim.
You should also call the Department on Aging at 1-800-252-8966 to report the abuse. You can visit the website for more information about how you can protect yourself or your loved one from elder abuse in a nursing home.
Nursing home employees
Nursing home employees are often the ones who commit abuse. They may be the only people an elder sees, and they’re under a lot of stress. They also may not be trained to recognize abuse or know how to report it if they see it happening.
According to the National Library of Medicine about 1.6 million people live in approximately 17,000 licensed nursing homes, and another estimated 900,000 to 1 million live in an estimated 45,000 residential care facilities. Of those about 2.5 million vulnerable individuals in these settings are at much higher risk for abuse and neglect than older persons who live at home.
Your loved one deserves to be protected when they are in a nursing home. When the facility fails to protect them and neglect or abuse occurs, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. At Carlson Bier Associates, our nursing home abuse lawyer Elmhurst Illinois can help you pursue justice.
When elder abuse occurs, a nursing home abuse lawyer Elmhurst Illinois can help
It can be hard to spot elder abuse in a busy nursing home environment. It may go unnoticed for some time, depending on how quickly you report it. For example, an older person may have an unexplained bruise or injury, but they might not want anyone asking about it because they feel ashamed or embarrassed. They might also worry that their abuser will get angry if they tell someone what happened.
If you see signs of elder abuse in your loved one’s nursing home or assisted living facility, speak up. Do not wait until the situation gets worse before reporting it and do not assume that someone else will take care of the problem. You could save someone’s life by speaking up about their care now instead of waiting until later when things get worse and more serious injuries occur.
Elder abuse is a serious problem that affects many people. It can be hard to spot in a busy nursing home environment and it may go unnoticed for some time depending on how quickly you report it. If you need a nursing home abuse lawyer Elmhurst Illinois, then the attorneys at Carlson Bier have the experience and passion to pursue justice for you. Contact us today for a consultation.