Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Susan B. Geffen has been looking out for the elderly for almost three decades as an elder law attorney, gerontologist and former law professor. She is the author of the book, “Take That Nursing Home and Shove It!” Susan is committed to fighting for the rights and dignity of the elderly, especially those who are no longer able to protect themselves from being abused.

The Kaiser Family Foundation records that as of 2019, there were 99,956 elderly adults in California nursing homes. This was just over 1.2 million across the United States. It does not include seniors who may be undergoing long-term skilled nursing services in the home. Add in this segment of the population and the number reaches about 3 million.

The Fact of Nursing Home Abuse

It is an unfortunate fact that many elderly adults will encounter some form of abuse while in a nursing home. These abuses can be difficult to detect, as only one in five cases are reported. Surprisingly, three fourths of the cases are perpetrated by the very people who are supposed to be caring for them.
Recently, a congressional report concluded a study over a two-year period showing that nearly one in three nursing homes were cited for violations that had the potential to cause harm. Almost ten percent actually have violations that caused actual harm or serious injury or death. Due to reports like these, legislatures in all 50 states have passed anti elder-abuse laws, but nursing home abuse continues to occur.

The Most Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse

The above-cited report also states that over half of all incidents of elder abuse in nursing homes could have been prevented or avoided. One significant way to prevent nursing home abuse is to know the signs of each type of abuse and keep regular scrutiny on your loved ones. Los Angeles nursing home abuse attorney Susan B. Geffen can educate you further about how you can be proactive in protecting your loved ones from such abuse. Here are the most common types and some warning signs.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse includes, hitting, pushing, shoving, shaking, striking, slapping, kicking, pinching and burning. Look for signs of bruising that are often caused by belts, buckles or electrical cords. You should also investigate any abrasions, burns or fractures. If you see any signs of injury out of the ordinary, you should be concerned.

Sexual Abuse

Surprisingly, this is very common. The most common signs are genital or anal infection, discomfort walking or sitting or bilateral bruising of inner thighs. You may also notice changes in behavior, like fear or anger.

Psychological Abuse

It can be difficult to detect, but you should look for signs like changes in mood, agitation and fear. Intimidation, being made to feel like a burden or useless or feeling threatened by a caregiver qualifies as psychological abuse.

Neglect

One of the most common forms of neglect is failure of a caregiver to provide adequate care. This may include not providing medicines, allowing for poor hygiene, inadequate food and not providing for personal safety. Common signs of neglect include:

• Bed sores
• Rashes
• Untreated injuries or medical problems
• Poor hygiene
• Hunger, malnutrition or dehydration
• Pallor or sunken cheeks or eyes
• Dirty clothing or bedding

Get Help from a Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today

There are means of recourse if you suspect elder abuse in a California nursing home. Any suspicions should be immediately reported to the facility manager. You should also contact Susan B. Geffen for advice and assistance. She can help if you suspect elder abuse in a nursing home, an assisted living facility or in the home from a family member or caregiver.