As unpleasant as it is to consider, the reality of elder care in Georgia and throughout the country shows that nursing home abuse and neglect is not uncommon. Our elderly relatives are, sadly, subjected to neglectful and abusive treatment at the very hands of those individuals we entrust with their care. There are a variety of reasons for why nursing home neglect and abuse occur.
First, nursing homes or assisted living facilities may not hire people with the right temperament for the job. Any Georgia resident who has ever had to care for an elderly relative who has a disabling injury or illness knows that such care requires patience and understanding. But for a person who works in a nursing home, caring for an individual to whom they have no familial relationship may strain any sense of patience. Combine this with the typical low wages that may be paid to a person who works in a nursing home, and the situation may result in abuse or neglect for an elderly resident.
But it isn’t just impatience or a lack of empathy that can result in abuse or neglect for an elderly resident of a nursing home or assisted living facility in Georgia. Medical professionals who are responsible for examining residents and administering medication could also be the cause of abuse or neglect. These professionals are often strained for time as they attempt to provide care of dozens of nursing home residents. If they rush and make some kind of medication error, the result can be dangerous – and even deadly.
At our law firm, we attempt to work with the families of elderly nursing home residents who have been subjected to abuse or neglect. This type of behavior should not be allowed to stand. For more information, please visit the nursing home abuse and neglect overview section of our law firm’s website.