Elderly citizens account for around 13% of the total population in the United States. It is projected that within the next three decades that percentage will rise to 20% of the total population of the United States. This projection means that we must do something now about those who take advantage of our most fragile citizens, so that those elderly citizens of the future, including ourselves, are able to live their last days in peace and tranquility.
1 in 10 elderly adults experience abuse/neglect at the hands of those responsible for providing them care. Of those cases, only 1 in 14 incidents are reported and for every case known, 24 cases are unknown. It is unknown exactly how many elders are suffering from abuse and/or neglect. These statistics are astounding and attest to the fact that there is a problem in our nation.
Elder abuse/neglect is defined as the intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable elder by a caregiver or other person who is in a trusted relationship with the elder. It is appalling that anyone would mistreat these vulnerable citizens who have put in their time contributing to society and should be able to enjoy their retirement years.
It is extremely upsetting when a family is paying the costs to an institution to provide an elderly family member with care and that institution fails to provide the care to which they are employed to do.
Nursing home abuse/neglect can come in a variety of ways, including physical abuse, verbal abuse, exploitation, sexual abuse, failure to provide medical treatment, malnutrition, not bathing the elderly and many other appalling actions in which abusers engage in.
The impact of abuse/neglect to an elder can result in a higher risk of death to those who have been abused compared to those who have not. Nursing home abuse/neglect can result in psychological distress. Nursing home abuse/neglect can result in additional health problems of victims, including high blood pressure, heart problems, increased bone or joint problems and other health problems.
Elderly citizens who have been the victims of nursing home abuse/neglect deserve justice for the wrong done to them. Families of these victims deserve justice for the pain and suffering the abuse/neglect has caused in their lives.
A personal injury lawyer can help these victims and their families hold those responsible for abuse/neglect in Michigan for the wrong done. Nursing home abuse/neglect is appalling and those who engage in this wrongdoing should pay for what they have done and victims and their families deserve a peace of mind knowing the wrongdoers have been brought to justice. A personal injury lawyer in Michigan will help them to get that peace of mind.