Nursing home neglect and abuse are on the rise locally, state-wide and nationally. So, too, are lawsuits against nursing homes due to the alarming statistics related to the problem. Consider the following information:
*Experts suggest that for every one case of nursing abuse, exploitation or neglect that is reported, there are five more that go unreported.
*Perhaps as many as one and two million Americans age 65 or older have been exploited, neglected or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care and/or protection. However, as few as 1 in 14 of these incidents are actually brought to the attention of public authorities.
•The percentage of nursing home residents under the age of 65 has doubled in the last decade from 7 to 14%. At the same time the average age of the resident has dropped from 83 to 79.
•Five percent of the older adults in the United States reside in nursing facilities (1.8 million of the 36 million over the age of 65). Of these, three-fourths or 75% of the residents are female. In addition, clearly half or 50% are 85 years of age and older.
Researchers also found that the average cost of a room in a private nursing home is expected to triple in the next decade. (Elder care is considered to be a coming industry of note as our population ages).
Families should sit down with their aging loved ones and begin to plan for a future that is respectful and loving. They need to be part of the conversation about a solution.
Greg Baumgartner is a and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, a Texas personal injury law firm dedicated to helping families of people injured or killed in accidents. For a free no obligation consultation with Texas personal injury attorneys call the Baumgartner law firm at 281-587-1111 or toll free at 1(866) 758-4529.
