Nursing Home Abuse

Imagine yourself when you get older. Do you picture yourself in a house, sitting in a chair, knitting sweaters for your grandchildren while your significant other is asleep on the recliner next to you? While this seems like the perfect scenario, it is not a reality for most. Senior citizens are often placed into retirement homes – also referred to as long-term care facilities – due to the inability of their loved ones to care for them properly. Contrary to popular belief, not all retirement homes do a better job in properly caring for these people. The bitter truth is that the elderly in these homes are often the victims of various types of abuse that has an immense impact on their health. These forms of abuse include financial exploitation, …show more content…
“Abuse of the Elderly” focuses on highlighting the psychological effects of emotional/mental abuse as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This often comes from things such as insults or bullying that makes victims feel worthless. Another source (Nursing Home Abuse) points out the physical effects of abuse, which includes illness/infection, broken/fractured bones, and bruising; which occurs when care takes become physically violent. Neglect can also have a drastic impact on health. The most common and most dangerous effect of neglect is bedsores – also known as pressure ulcers – which occurs when there is prolonged pressure on the skin. Bedsores occur when a patient has been laying/sitting in the same position for days on end due to lack of movement – which further supports the laziness workers in these facilities exhibit. Bedsores can cause a variety of other health problems, such as the formation of blood clots due to lack of proper blood circulation, or an infection within the bones if left …show more content…
While there is legislation against abuse of the elderly, it is not strongly enforced. To prevent this tragedy from occurring, we as a community push for stronger legislation against elder abuse to be passed by the state’s government (since the federal government is essentially powerless in this issue), more enforcement of these laws, and more regulations within care falsities themselves. When it comes to elder abuse, the federal government’s powers are limited to supporting organizations such as the National Center on Elder Abuse, and the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse – who’s primary focus end elder abuse – through funding (Abuse of the Elderly). However, the rest of the work is up to the state government. It is their responsibility to enact and enforce legislation that protects residents of long-term care facilities . The legislation currently set in place is not strong enough and not heavily enforced, which is why abuse still occurs. Regular inspections can also be done in order to make sure facilities meet certain standards and the patients are receiving quality care. If we as a community were to come together and use our voices to fight for something to be done about this, it would benefit current victims and prevent others from becoming victims. After all, if something isn’t done, you or someone you love could become a