More information has come to light in recent years about the rate at which nursing home abuse occurs. The most recent estimates show as many as one-third of all elderly individuals living in a long-term care facility will suffer harm at the hand of another person. Numbers like this leave many wondering who is most commonly responsible for acts of nursing home abuse.
While many cases involve a caregiver seriously harming an elderly patient, it’s important to remember that other patients are just as capable of committing such heinous acts. In fact, a nursing home resident was recently arrested after allegations arose that he raped and abused another patient at the facility.
19 Action News reports that on Sunday, January 11, a 57-year-old patient at Heartland of Mt. Airy on 2550 Banning Road in Springfield Township, Ohio, reported that her male roommate attacked her. Reports also indicate this wasn’t the first incident of abuse between the two, as the victim stated her attacker had verbally and mentally abused her in the past.
It’s important to protect your loved ones from such harm. A few ways you can help guard against nursing home abuse include:
- Visit Regularly- Statistics show that patients who have numerous regular visitors are less likely to be abused.
- Ask Questions- Inquiring about your loved one’s care can help ensure they receive the best treatment.
- Report Suspected Abuse- If you suspect your loved one is being harmed while in the care of a nursing home, the most important thing you can do is report the incident to the proper authorities. Reach out to the nursing home’s management as well as local law enforcement.
- Get a Lawyer- Having a legal representative by your side will help to protect your loved one’s rights at all times.
At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we’ve seen the devastating results nursing home abuse can have. That’s why our Cleveland personal injury lawyers are hopeful these tips help keep you and your loved ones safe from harm.