Image via Wikipedia

If you live in a major city, you may have seen billboards that address the issue of elder abuse. This problem has not been often discussed until recently. However, researchers and advocates have found it to be a growing problem.

Nursing homes have been among the most criticized institutions where abuse occurs. In 2005, one study estimated that there are over 2 million cases of elder abuse every year. This same study also estimated that one of every five cases of elder abuse will not be reported.

While family members can also perpetrate abuse, a significant portion comes from nursing homes. As several studies and at least one elder abuse lawyer Los Angeles has reported, many of these cases of neglect or abuse stem from understaffed and poorly trained institutions.

Common forms of abuse in an institution are failure to read a patient’s chart correctly, failure to notify a doctor when the patient’s condition changes, and errors in administering prescriptions. Common signs of abuse are dehydration, malnutrition, and bed sores. In domestic cases, abuse can be outright physical or sexual. In other situations, abuse can involve neglect including failure to feed or bathe a patient.

Caring for an elderly person takes patience, strength, and understanding. These are people who used to be able to do everything for themselves but now find themselves at the mercy of others. They can be frustrated at their situation, or they may become easily confused. This knowledge is a part of the caregivers’ job. We must find a way to provide excellent care for patients without the change for negligence, or abuse.