Nursing Home and Elder Abuse Facts

Nursing Home and Elder Abuse Facts

When we talk about Elder Abuse, very limited research has been done on it, even where there is evidence that suggests it may be almost as widespread as child abuse. And although attention has increased in recent years, most research on Elder Abuse has focused on the different types and causes.

It is therefore not surprising that the high risk for Elder Abuse and Neglect on residential settings that offer long-term supportive services is also severely under-investigated. Seniors who live in these places are particularly vulnerable because most suffer from several chronic diseases that lead to limitations in physical and cognitive functioning and are dependent on others.

In the United States, there are more than 3.2 million adults living in Nursing Homes and other Long-Term Care Facilities. Up to 40% of all adults are going to require the care of a Nursing Home at some point in their lives, and as our population continues to age, the number of people in Nursing Homes is also going to go up.

That is why it is important for all Americans to take a look at these important facts about Elder Abuse and Nursing Homes:

  • As many as 5,000,000 elders are abused or neglected each year in the United States.
  • One study reported that as many as 24.3% of residents experienced at least one instance of physical abuse while in a Nursing Home.
  • The New York State Elder Abuse Prevalence Study estimates that only 1 in 25 cases of Elder Abuse are formally reported.
  • Data from Adult Protective Services (APS) indicates a rising number of reported abuses in recent years.
  • A 2018 study found that Massachusetts had the best protections for elders overall and South Carolina had the worst protections.
  • Seniors who suffer abuse are 300% more likely to die within three years after they have suffered the abuse.

Elder Abuse, especially when it involves someone in a residential care facility, is often difficult to detect and usually goes unreported. Gharibian Law is the top Elder Abuse attorney in Los Angeles or surrounding area. We are here to help defend the rights of Elder Abuse victims and hold the abusive or negligent party accountable for any illness you or a loved one may have suffered as a result of their actions. Contact us at 888-288-0091 or schedule a free consultation.