Nursing home abuse and neglect is a widespread and serious problem in the United States, affecting thousands of our nation's elderly who depend on long-term care facilities for their day-to-day care.

According to a congressional report released in 2001 entitled "Abuse of Residents is a Major Problem in U.S. Nursing Homes," approximately one-third of nursing homes in the United States were cited for an abuse violation in a two-year period and almost half of those violations were serious enough to cause actual harm to residents or place them in immediate jeopardy of serious injury or death. As bad as these statistics are, the fact is that many incidences of abuse and neglect go undetected and unreported.

When nursing home regulations and policies fail to protect our nation's elderly, it is important that friends and family be able to recognize the warning signs of abuse and neglect. Abuse can come in the form of physical harm, mental anguish, emotional pain, and even sexual exploitation.

Examples of abuse include:

• Unreasonable confinement or unnecessary use of restraints including over-medication
• Hitting, slapping, or unnecessary roughness
• Sexual assault or rape
• Yelling, cursing or making demeaning comments
  
• Failure to provide the services necessary to maintain a person's physical or mental health

Examples of neglect include:

• Failure to provide adequate nutrition
• Failure to provide needed assistance with personal hygiene
• Failure to take precautions to prevent falls or injuries
• Failure to provide adequate medical care
• Failure to protect skin integrity

Warning signs of abuse and neglect include:

• Bedsores or pressure sores
• Skin rashes
• Urine or feces odor
• Unexplained or excessive bruises, contusions, or lesions
• Bone fractures or breaks
• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• Changes in personality or mood swings
• Depression, fear or anxiety
• Unkempt appearance

Anderson Pangia & Associates is committed to passionately seeking justice on behalf of nursing home residents and their families. Our attorneys and staff have the depth of experience and resources available to relentlessly investigate and develop these complex and serious cases. We believe we have one of the most active nursing home abuse and neglect practices, handling cases throughout North Carolina and the southeastern United States.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, please contact us for more information.