In Georgia, more than 33,982 people live in nursing homes under the care of someone other than a family member. They are there because they need help with everything including walking, daily living activities, or chronic health problems. Many of the more than 346 Georgia nursing home facilities are located in the Atlanta metro area because of the proximity to hospitals and healthcare professionals. If you have ever had a family member in a nursing home, home care or assisted living facility you probably had concerns about their care. And unfortunately, you are right to be concerned. Georgia nursing home abuse and injuries are on the rise.
Our older relatives need us to protect them. They are most susceptible to injury or abuse when they are suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's, and serious physical disabilities. Under the Federal Older Americans Act, every state must have an Ombudsman program which is a fancy word for an advocate, in this case, for residents of in the long term care system in Georgia. If you have a concern about the quality of care your loved one is receiving the Georgia State Ombudsman is a great resource.
In a national study, over 88.1% of all nursing home facilities had deficiencies of some level. A deficiency is any problem which can result in a negative impact on the health and safety of residents. Nursing home neglect includes any failure to care for a person in a way that would avoid harm or pain, such as incorrect body positioning which leads to bed sores and skin breakdown, lack of bathing which affects dignity and hygiene, and ignoring calls for help. Nursing home abuse is the infliction of intentional pain or harm and includes physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse such as hitting, pinching, force-feeding, slapping, berating, and rough handling.
When you consider a facility for your family member, do the research, plenty of information is available to you to help select an appropriate nursing home or assisted living facility with a record of good care. Most importantly, you must stay involved in the care of your family member. Frequent visits, a good relationship with the staff and an understanding of the health problems your loved one has will enable you to be an advocate for them.
Should you suspect abuse, report it immediately to the facility, the Georgia Ombudsman, or the police. Lawyers can also be a good resource for determining if your loved one's rights have been violated and in seeking a recovery for them. Our firm offers knowledgeable guidance on nursing home abuse and neglect cases. If you want to talk with an experienced attorney, our firm will be happy to spend some time discussing your concerns with you - just give us a call.
Learn more:
The Silenced Voice Speaks Out, report on Atlanta nursing home abuse and neglect by the Atlanta Legal Aid Society.
