Abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults is a growing concern in New York. Reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people in nursing homes and other institutional settings in New York has increased 25% since 2000. The New York Department of Health and Human Services has received over 5,000 complaints of abuse and neglect within the past year.
Nursing home abuse refers to elder abuse that takes place in a residential, long-term care facility. It is also sometimes referred to as institutional elder abuse. Such abuse includes:
Physical abuse – physical injury from falls, from kicking, hitting, punching, or using physical restraints unnecessarily
Neglect – abandonment, malnutrition or dehydration, bed sores, gangrene, aspiration pneumonia, over-sedation, withholding prescription drugs, or withholding hygienic care
Sexual Abuse – forced sex acts or acts committed with a resident who is physically or mentally unable to grant or deny permission
Mental Abuse – isolation from friends and family or verbal assaults
Financial Abuse – stealing an elder’s money, identity theft, or missing property
The Protection of Our Laws
There are both federal and state laws designed to protect nursing home residents. In New York, it is a crime for certain persons to fail to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a nursing home resident, to abuse, neglect, or exploit a nursing home resident, or to interfere with the investigation of a report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Further, New York law establishes The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program which is responsible for investigating “reports of alleged abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults occurring in facilities.”
Preventing and Detecting Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes
The following are some steps that residents and families can take to limit the potential for nursing home abuse:
1) Look for Signs of Abuse:
2) Make frequent visits to the nursing home at various times, including unscheduled visits.
3) Speak regularly with care providers and nursing home staff. Press them for answers to your questions.
4) If you are a resident, build relationships with other residents. If you have concerns about the quality of your care, speak up for yourself.
Nursing home abuse refers to elder abuse that takes place in a residential, long-term care facility. It is also sometimes referred to as institutional elder abuse. Such abuse includes:
Physical abuse – physical injury from falls, from kicking, hitting, punching, or using physical restraints unnecessarily
Neglect – abandonment, malnutrition or dehydration, bed sores, gangrene, aspiration pneumonia, over-sedation, withholding prescription drugs, or withholding hygienic care
Sexual Abuse – forced sex acts or acts committed with a resident who is physically or mentally unable to grant or deny permission
Mental Abuse – isolation from friends and family or verbal assaults
Financial Abuse – stealing an elder’s money, identity theft, or missing property
The Protection of Our Laws
There are both federal and state laws designed to protect nursing home residents. In New York, it is a crime for certain persons to fail to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a nursing home resident, to abuse, neglect, or exploit a nursing home resident, or to interfere with the investigation of a report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Further, New York law establishes The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program which is responsible for investigating “reports of alleged abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults occurring in facilities.”
Preventing and Detecting Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes
The following are some steps that residents and families can take to limit the potential for nursing home abuse:
1) Look for Signs of Abuse:
- Dehydration or malnutrition;
- Bed sores or frozen joints;
- Poor hygiene;
- Abrupt behavioral changes;
- Signs of physical injuries such as bruises, cuts, burns, sprains, or fractures;
- Venereal disease or genital infections, vaginal or anal bleeding;
- Nursing home resident appears to be over-sedated;
- Nursing home resident is not allowed to be alone with visitors;
- Large sums of money suddenly withdrawn from resident’s bank accounts;
- Wills and/or financial documents are abruptly changed;
- Nursing home resident’s possessions are missing; or
- Nursing home staff does not allow resident to have visitors or there are delays in allowing visitors to see the nursing home resident.
2) Make frequent visits to the nursing home at various times, including unscheduled visits.
3) Speak regularly with care providers and nursing home staff. Press them for answers to your questions.
4) If you are a resident, build relationships with other residents. If you have concerns about the quality of your care, speak up for yourself.
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