Reporting Nursing Home Abuse

It is estimated that several hundred thousand elder Americans are abused and/or neglected in our country's nursing homes and assisted living facilities each year. What is even more disturbing is that many cases of nursing home abuse and neglect go unreported because the victim may fear further abuse or the victim may not be able to communicate to his/her loved ones what is being done to them.

Nursing home abuse and neglect comes in many forms. The most common form is actually financial exploitation of the elderly. Caretakers have been known to withdraw money out of accounts, forge signatures, sell possessions, and change beneficiaries on insurance policies.

Physical abuse is also prevalent. Emotional abuse of the elderly takes the form of taunting, mocking, verbal insults, intimidation and harassment. Some seniors have also suffered various forms of sexual abuse including being photographed against their will, fondled, or even raped.

The shameful epidemic of elder abuse can only be stopped (or at least, minimized) if abuse and neglect are reported. If you fear your loved one may be suffering abuse or neglect in the nursing facility in which he/she lives, there is action you can take. The nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys at Kalfus & Nachman in the Norfolk and Newport News area of Virginia have handled many of these cases and can help you, too.