95% of elderly people in care have suffered or witnessed neglect, according to research by the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA).
In other words, if your parents are in a nursing home, there is a high chance it could have happened to them.
If you feel your elderly parents are being neglected by the care home you are paying to look after them, what should you do?
- Talk with your parents: You may or may not be able to get some more information by talking to your parents. Things they mention could trigger alarm bells.
- Talk with the care home: Nursing home neglect is often down to one person. It is important to tell those in charge when something is unsatisfactory. This gives them a chance to correct it and remove or correct the one employee who is neglecting their duties.
- Talk with your local authorities: Each state has departments tasked with following up on reports of nursing home neglect.
Nursing home neglect is considered a form of abuse. You have entrusted the care home to take charge of your parent’s essential needs such as food, hygiene, warmth and emotional security. Denying those needs, whether on purpose or due to negligence, is an abuse of that trust.
You might consider getting legal advice if you wish to take it further. You have the right to receive the service you paid for, and your parents have the right to be treated with respect in the final years of their life.
