What to Know: How Nursing Homes Hide Evidence of Abuse
There is no doubt that nursing homes can be abusive. Unfortunately, abuse in nursing homes is all too common. According to a National Center on Elder Abuse report, as many as one in three nursing home residents are abused yearly.
Many different types of abuse can occur in nursing homes. Physical abuse is the most common type, but emotional, sexual, and financial abuse is far too common.
Sadly, the vast majority of abuse cases in nursing homes go unreported. Residents may be afraid to speak up, or they may not even realize that they are being abused. Family members may not be aware of the abuse or be unable to do anything about it.
If you suspect a loved one is being abused in a nursing home, it is important to speak up. You should contact the authorities and file a report. You should also contact a nursing home abuse lawyer to discuss your legal options.
In today’s article, look at ways nursing homes can hide evidence of their abuse. Here’s what you need to know:
Falsifying Patient Charts
It is no secret that nursing homes have been known to falsify patient charts to hide evidence of abuse. This problem has been going on for years, and it is not likely to go away anytime soon. There are a few reasons nursing homes do this, and they all center around the fact that they do not want to be held accountable for the abuse within their facility.
One of the most common reasons nursing homes falsify patient charts is to make it appear like the abuse never happened. This is often done by changing the dates of when the abuse occurred or by simply not recording the abuse at all. Nursing homes know they will not be held liable if they can make it appear like the abuse never happened.
Another reason nursing homes falsify patient charts is to make it appear that the abuse was not as bad as it was. This is often done by downplaying the severity of the abuse or by changing the description of what happened.
Intimidating Patients
Nursing homes are facilities that provide care for elderly or disabled patients. Unfortunately, nursing homes have been known to hide evidence of abuse. Intimidating patients is one way that nursing homes hide evidence of abuse.
Nursing home staff may intimidate patients to prevent them from reporting abuse. Patients may be told they will be punished if they tell anyone about the abuse. They may also be threatened with being moved to a different facility.
Nursing home staff may also try to keep patients from talking to their families about the abuse. They may tell patients their families will be angry if they find out about the abuse.
Some patients may be too intimidated to speak up about the abuse. Others may not even realize that they are being abused. Family members and friends need to be aware of the signs of abuse.
The Bottom Line
Although nursing homes can be abusive, knowing how they hide evidence can help you fight back. By understanding nursing homes’ methods to cover up abuse, you can be better prepared to take action if you or a loved one is ever a victim of abuse. If you suspect abuse is occurring, do not hesitate to contact the authorities or a lawyer who can help you investigate the situation and protect your rights.
If you are looking for the top personal injury law firm in Phoenix, you’re in the right place. Melanie Bossie, Mary Ellen Reilly, and Donna Oh founded Bossie, Reilly, & Oh to continue their mission to hold nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, and assisted living facilities accountable for the abuse and neglect of elders and vulnerable adults.
Our firm has litigated hundreds of elder abuse and neglect cases and recovered many six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts for our clients. We firmly believe that the elderly and most vulnerable in our community deserve a voice, and we take pride in advocating for them. Contact us today to learn more and get started!