The fastest growing age group/segment of the U.S. population is of people age 65 and older. In 2010 there were 40.3 million people over the age of 65 in the U.S. This age group is the largest in both outright size and percentage of the U.S. population. The region with the largest percentage of people in this group is the South. This age group has grown faster than all other age groups combined. [1]
As this demographic continues to grow, more and more families will need to provide care for their elder members. Many families find themselves without the skills or resources to care for their elderly or otherwise infirm family members and are forced to make the agonizing decision to place them in either nursing homes or assisted living centers. In 2014, there were 1.4 million nursing home residents in America, and 835,200 residents in residential care communities. [2]
These families are placing their trust in the facilities creating a duty of care to adequately care for these loved ones, with the facility owing the duty of care to both the elderly individual and his or her family. Breaching this duty or care has legal and civil penalties in all 50 states. Although many families trust these professionals to care for their loved ones, a study conducted in April 2017 determined that 91% of the nursing homes in the U.S. lack adequate staff to properly care for their patients, and that 36% of U.S. nursing homes have been in violation of existing elderly abuse laws. [3] A 2010 study found that 44% of nursing home patients have reported abuse by staff members. (find cite NCEA). 95% of patients reported neglect by staff members. (Same) Over 50% of nursing home staff members admitted to mistreating patients. (Same).
It is important to carefully inspect and use due diligence when seeking a nursing home or assisted living facility. However, should harm come to a loved one from abuse or neglect from staff members of these facilities, the Hopkins Law Office is here to help. Attorney Richard Hopkins, Jr. is licensed in Georgia and North Carolina, and has handled nursing home neglect cases in several states in the Southeast.
[1] U.S. Dept. of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. (2011). The Older Population: 2010 (PDF).
[2] National Center for Health Statistics. (2014). Nursing Home Care; National Center for Health Statistics (2014). Residential Care Communities.
[3] http:/www.statisticbrain.com/elderly-abuse-statistics/