Southern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
In San Bernardino County and throughout Southern California, there are millions of older adults, many of whom reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. According to data from the California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP), adults aged 65 and up represent the “fastest growing age group” in California. In 2021, there were 6 million older adults living in the state, and that number has since increased. By 2030, the CHBRP estimates that the state’s population of adults aged 65 and up will total nearly 9 million, or 20 percent of California’s population. Is it possible to prevent nursing home abuse and neglect among this aging population?
While incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect can be based on factors specific to a facility, there are also risk factors associated with individuals. What are the general risk factors to consider in nursing home abuse or neglect cases? Our San Bernardino nursing home neglect lawyers can discuss some of the most common risk factors with you.
Understanding Abuse and Neglect Risk Factors in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), risk factors for injuries arising out of abuse or neglect are typically understood as a range of characteristics, from underlying medical conditions to connections to social circles and communities. Risk factors exist on an individual basis, but there are also relationship and societal risk factors to consider.
In terms of individual risk factors for abuse or neglect, the CDC identifies the following as common ones among elderly adults:
- Mental illness diagnosis;
- Cognitive impairment diagnosis;
- Physical health problems; and
- Past experience of abuse or neglect.
Relationship risk factors relate to a lack of social or family support, while societal risk factors refer to nursing home and assisted living facilities issues, such as understaffing or staff burnout. Accordingly, if you are thinking about an elderly loved one’s safety or well-being, you should be considering their individual risk factors, as well as factors related specifically to any facility you are considering.
Protective Factors to Consider
Opposite to risk factors, the CDC also identifies what it calls “protective factors.” According to the CDC, protective factors are individual, relationship, and social factors that can decrease the likelihood of an elderly adult experiencing abuse or neglect. Generally speaking, being in relatively good health and having high emotional intelligence can protect older adults to a degree. Having a social support network, from family to friends, and a sense of community can also make the likelihood of abuse or neglect, or at least ongoing issues of abuse or neglect, less likely.
Contact a San Bernardino Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney
Whether you are considering nursing homes or assisted living facilities for a loved one and want to know more about risk factors, or you believe an elderly loved one sustained an injury due to abuse or neglect, an experienced San Bernardino County nursing home neglect lawyer can help. Contact the Walton Law Firm today for more information about the services we provide to elderly adults and their families in Southern California.
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