Peer Abuse

March 23, 2009

Nursing Home Residents Face New and Growing Threat

In increasing numbers, young and middle-aged mentally ill patients are being housed with older people in nursing homes. It has proved to be a dangerous practice for older residents. The younger, stronger, mentally-disturbed residents have lashed out at the older, frailer residents who often are defenseless against the attacks. Sons and daughters of the elderly victims of attacks are left wondering why their loved ones were not protected better.

In the past seven years, there has been a 41 percent increase in the number of mentally ill patients housed in nursing homes, which as led to a correlated increase in peer-on-peer physical abuse. The reasons for the increase are multi-fold, including the fact that states have failed to provide adequate facilities for the mentally ill. It is also financially advantageous to house the mentally ill and the elderly together. But while it may make financial sense, it puts the elderly at risk and inadequate measures have been taken to protect the elderly.

Under state and federal law, nursing home residents are guaranteed freedom from physical abuse. At Walton Law Firm LLP, we have represented victims of violent attacks in nursing homes. These attacks are often a result of negligence on the part of the facility including a failure to provide adequate staffing. If you have questions about the care of your loved one in a nursing home, please contact Walton Law Firm LLP for a free and confidential consultation.

July 23, 2008

Sex Offenders Living In U.S. Nursing Homes

by Nursing Home Law Group

Registered sex offenders, parolees, and individuals with violent pasts are living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities all over America according to the advocacy organization A Perfect Cause, which found 1,600 registered sex offenders in U.S. nursing facilities with senior citizens.

Wes Bledsoe, founder of the organizations, says that the group has documented over 60 rapes, murders, and assaults committed by criminal offenders inside these facilities. There is currently no federal or state law that keeps sexual offenders out of long term care facilities, and, in fact, many are sent to facilities by local judges, sheriffs, and county workers. Bledsoe is testifying before congress this week on the subject, and will call for the establishment of separate and secure nursing facilities for known sexual offenders, as well as a requirement of criminal background checks on all incoming residents.

“I hope that some of the congressional leaders don’t sleep soundly tomorrow,” said Bledsoe, “and that this makes an impression on them that right now, in this moment, we have people in harm’s way.”

June 3, 2008

Peer-on-Peer Abuse in Nursing Homes More Common than Believed

by Randall Walton

Nursing home abuse and neglect is not always perpetrated by staff members. New research from Cornell University suggests that aggression and violence between residents may be more prevalent than abuse or mistreatment from nursing home employees.

According to the study, peer-on-peer abuse is nursing home is a problem that has received little attention.

“Given that nursing homes are environments where people live close together, and many residents have lowered inhibitions because of dementia, such incidents are not surprising,” said Karl Pillemer of Cornell. “Because of the nature of nursing home life, it is impossible to eliminate these abusive behaviors entirely, but we need better scientific evidence about what works to prevent this problem.”