Southern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
How often does elder abuse and neglect occur in San Diego County nursing homes and assisted-living facilities? According to new data reported by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), as many as one out of every five older adults in recent years — or 20% of the older adult population — may have been subject to some form of abuse or neglect. And that information still coincides with estimates that only about one out of every 24 cases of elder abuse are actually reported. As such, it is possible that far more than 20% of the elderly population experiences some form of abuse at least once. How often do subsequent acts of abuse or neglect occur? That information is not especially well documented, but according to a recent article in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, a new program could help to prevent repeat acts of abuse and neglect in various long-term care settings.
New Hospital-Based Program Helps Seniors Who Have Experienced Elder Abuse
Older adults who have suffered harm as a result of nursing home abuse and neglect may experience abuse again — especially those who are particularly vulnerable, such as older adults with dementia or cognitive impairments. The article in McKnight’s discusses a new program specifically designed to identify seniors who have experienced mistreatment and to intervene effectively.
This program, known as the Vulnerable Elder Protection Team program (or VEPT program), was established to help identify seniors who visit emergency departments or who are hospitalized and may have been subject to elder mistreatment at a nursing home or assisted-living facility. Between 2020 and 2023, the program assessed 157 older adults and classified some as “having high or moderate concern.” Supporters of the program followed up with those individuals on a routine basis. Older adults who returned to an emergency department or hospital also received follow-ups. For more than 60 percent, after one year, the older adults self-reported that their experiences of mistreatment or neglect had stopped.
Identifying and Preventing Elder Abuse
One of the most important ways of stopping and preventing elder abuse is by recognizing it and intervening. Signs of elder mistreatment can vary widely depending on the type of abuse or neglect, according to the NCOA. It is important to be aware of any changes in an elderly loved one, from signs of physical abuse or sexual abuse to emotional changes that could signal psychological or emotional abuse. Unexplained injuries, such as broken bones or bed sores, can be signs of passive neglect. Whenever such signs are present, it is important to take intervening measures where possible.
The authors of the recent study on the VEPT program discussed in the McKnights article reported their findings in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. They determined that, for older adults who had experienced mistreatment and went through the VEPT program, they observed “post-discharge safety,” and “increased safety durable over 1 year.” Accordingly, the study suggests that the creation of “elder mistreatment response teams” in emergency departments and hospital settings could help to stop abuse from continuing to occur and could prevent recurrence of it.
Contact Our San Diego County Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys Today
Do you have concerns about an elderly relative’s safety or general well-being in a nursing home or assisted-living facility in Southern California? Even if you are not certain about abuse or neglect, it is important to seek legal advice about taking action to help your loved one. You may be able to take steps to stop future injuries caused by abuse or neglect and to hold the facility accountable with help from a San Diego County nursing home neglect lawyer at our firm. Contact the Walton Law Firm for more information about the services we provide to elderly adults and their families in Southern California.
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