It’s not an easy decision to put a parent, grandparent or other family member in a nursing home or care facility, but there are times when it’s the best course of action. And you do it trusting that the staff at the facility will do its best to provide your loved one with the medical care they deserve. In most cases, the nurses, the helpers and the administration truly care about the patients in their charge and the care they give reflects that. However, all too often our loved ones suffer abuse at the hands of their caretakers.
The abuse can take many forms. It could be disorganization that causes a patient to get the wrong medicine. It could be inattention that leads to bedsores or other maladies going unnoticed. Or it could even be outright physical or sexual abuse. However the abuse happens, one thing is for sure: it’s more commonplace than you think. In fact, it’s said that five million people may be the victims of elder abuse every year and that 96 percent of the case of elder abuse are never reported.
A recent report looked at the protections in place in all 50 states and ranked them. In the report, New Mexico came in at number 40, right after Illinois and right before Nebraska. It’s sad news for the Land of Enchantment, to be sure.
If someone you love has been affected by elder abuse, it might be wise to sit down with a personal injury attorney. He or she can conduct an investigation and may be able to help your loved one, as well as any other victims of abuse at the same facility.
Source: taosnews.com, “Analysis: New Mexico ranks No. 40 in elder-abuse protections,” December 21, 2016