As the median age of the United States population continues to rise, we see more and more senior citizens moving into assisted living facilities and nursing homes. It is estimated that one person in 20 will need assisted living at some point. With this trend in mind, it should not come as a surprise that a number of less than scrupulous nursing home facilities have sprung up throughout the country; many of which practice elder neglect and abuse.
It is difficult to place a family member in a nursing home. It is even more difficult to find out that your relative has been abused by the nursing home staff. Reported cases of elder abuse have increased by 60 percent over the last decade. Recent legislation called the Elder Justice Act was passed in order to help keep the elderly protected from abuse.
Abuse in a facility or nursing home is sometimes called "institutional abuse." It can involve physical sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as more "passive" forms of neglect, such as restraining elderly patients, or withholding food or drink, which can lead to dehydration and even death. Sometimes residents are allowed to wander the nursing home without supervision, putting patients at risk of falling or other preventable injuries.
If your family member has been injured or neglected in a nursing home, please call Peterson Law Offices immediately. We truly care about the safety of our clients, and we will pursue every legal recourse available to ensure that the abuse is stopped
Call for a free consultation to discuss your case. For more information please call Peterson Law Offices at (503) 280-0888 or toll free at 1-877-908-1900.
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