The prevalence of abuse occurring in nursing homes across the U.S. is alarming. According to Nursing Home Abuse Justice, nearly 24.3% of residents suffer some type of physical abuse. An elder who is a victim of abuse can develop serious medical conditions and are at greater risk of death.
Georgia’s New Background Check Law for Nursing Homes
Recently a law was passed in Georgia placing stricter hiring and reporting requirements on nursing homes in the state. A caregiver who will have direct contact with an elder will be subject to an FBI background check, and that information will be included in a statewide registry. The law will take effect in 2021 to give facilities time to conduct background checks on current employees.
If your loved one has suffered abuse while residing in a nursing home, contact The Manton Law Firm, LLC today. We can help you pursue justice.
Presently, caretakers are only required to submit to a name-based background check, which does not include information about crimes the person committed in other states. With the new requirements, before an employee is hired at a care facility, administrators can see if that person has had a history of abuse regardless of the state that it occurred in.
Types of Abuse
The senior population is especially vulnerable to abuse, as illnesses and other medical conditions can make them completely dependent on others for care. Often, the elder enters into a nursing home that has staff on hand who can provide the care they need. However, abuse occurs at the very facilities trusted with their care.
Elders are subject to various types of abuse, including:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Financial abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Neglect
Many instances of abuse will go unreported because physical limitations prevent the victim from being able to speak. Other times, the victim may be too embarrassed to report the abuse.
Signs of Abuse
The signs of abuse may be difficult to detect, as some types of harm do not leave physical traces.
Some signs include:
- Withdrawal
- Unexplained cuts or bruises
- Poor hygiene
- Avoidance of certain staff members
- Bedsores
- Weight loss
Reporting Nursing Home Abuse
If you believe your loved one is a victim of abuse, report it right away to the appropriate authorities, including Adult Protective Services and the state or community Ombudsman. Remove the individual from the facility to prevent them from being subject to further abuse.
Protecting the Rights of Your Loved Ones
If your loved one has suffered abuse at their nursing home, our Cumming nursing home abuse attorney will work hard to hold the facility financially responsible for harm caused. By fighting hard to hold the nursing home liable, we can help you obtain justice while also preventing abuse from occurring at the facility in the future.