When do I need a nursing home attorney?

The extent to which dependent adults in assisted living facilities are abused and neglected is largely unknown. The same dependence that forces older adults and those in need of special care and supervision remains one of the largest hurdles in accurately assessing the extent of this egregious injustice.

The obscurity of elder abuse is also due in part to the largely off-limits status of nursing facilities and hospice agencies to the media and public at-large. Add this to the number of recent regulatory agency budget cuts and the stress placed on the existing, likely overworked and underpaid, elder-care facility regulators – not to mention the elder-care labor force, itself – and it’s no surprise that many victims of nursing home neglect and elder abuse just fall through the cracks.

At Elk & Elk, our dedicated team of nursing home attorneys work hard to protect the rights of those who have become victims of nursing home injury and abuse.

Because of these factors, it’s often up to the families and loved ones of dependent adults to know the signs of abuse and neglect, be vigilant, proactive and get help when all signs point to the presence abuse.

Why is abuse present in Nursing Homes?
The tragic truth is that the nursing home industry, for the most part, behaves as just that: an industry that puts profits ahead of people. They house our elderly loved ones at the lowest cost possible. This means: Minimal qualifications, Inadequate staffing, insufficient training, low wages and high turnover
Read Full Article »

“The environment at many residential care facilities across the country is ripe for abuse and therefore warrants the attention of all individuals working to help adults live with dignity and respect,” reads a portion of an article published on the Web site of the National Organization for Victim Assistance.

“There is much that is unknown about the abuse and criminal victimization of adults living in residential care facilities, but what is known should give advocates for adults and crime victims reason for serious concern,” the piece continues. “…available data suggests that adults are victimized at an alarming rate, and often have much more difficulty participating in the criminal justice system and receiving the help they need.”

With that in mind, those of us with loved ones receiving home care or in assisted living facilities need to be aware of the signs of such abuse and neglect. The National Center on Elder Abuse recently published a list on questions and answers about elder abuse.

See The Frequently Asked Questions
on Nursing Home Abuse »