Nursing Home Abuse Allegations In New Jersey

A former nurse is alleging abuse allegations against a New Jersey nursing home, according to a NJ.com news report. Nikki Thompson, the whistleblowing nurse, claims she was forced to resign after coming forward about the abuse after eight years of working at the facility. A photo from the facility surfaced that showed an 85-year-old resident with dementia tied to a wheelchair with a bedsheet. The resident was discovered by a nurse aide on duty.

Nursing Home Abuse

Mistreatment of the elderly is defined as intentional acts that cause harm – or create a serious risk of harm (whether or not intended) – to a vulnerable elderly by a person of trust or a caregiver. Abuse and neglect fall under the umbrella of this definition. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to discover for several reasons including staff lacking the skills to detect the signs, an elderly victim’s hesitation to report the abuse for fear of retaliation or even a victim lacking the cognitive ability to report the abuse. Finally, a victim may be reluctant to report abuse because the perpetrator is a family member.

Regrettably, elder abuse can occur in a private home or an institutional setting. If you or someone you love has been the victim of elder abuse in nursing homes, contact a skilled Long Island nursing home abuse lawyer immediately to preserve your rights under the law.

Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes is Common

It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that more than 1.5 million seniors reside in nursing homes in the United States. As the rest of the baby boomer generation enters its golden years, this number is likely to increase. By the year 2050, forecasters predict about 20 percent of the American population will be over the age of 65. One in three American nursing homes had elderly abuse violations according to a federal study covering a two-year period reported by ABC News.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced its intention to impose tougher national reporting requirements for the industry. In the past requirements allowed regulation to be self-reported, and had no independent verification. Reforms include expanding quality measures – such as regulating use of antipsychotic medications, mandating electronic reporting of staff levels on a quarterly basis, and tightening regulation of re-hospitalization and discharge fees.

Has Your Loved One Been the Victim of Nursing Home Abuse in Long Island?

It is true that many nursing home facilities in the nation provide superb care to senior residents; however, elder abuse and neglect or even medical mistakes do happen. Mistreatment of the elderly population is devastating. Family members feel exploited by the facility and trust is lost.

If someone you know or love has been the victim of nursing home abuse, contact a knowledgeable and aggressive Long Island nursing home abuse lawyer today or call 516-441-0282 today to schedule your initial consultation.