According to a Congressional Report issued on July 30, 2001 ("Abuse of Residents is a Major Problem in U.S. Nursing Homes", Rep. Henry A. Waxman, U.S. House of Representatives), over thirty percent of the nursing homes nationwide were cited for abuse violations during the two period between January 1999 and January 2001. Those violations totalled almost 9,000 during that two year period, and 2,500 of those violations were serious enough to place residents in immediate danger of death or serious injury. However, the report also goes on to state that many violations go undiscovered, because state inspectors usually don't discover violations until a formal complaint is filed. Many residents of nursing homes don't have the ability to make formal complaints by themselves. Many states have revamped their laws to make it tougher on Nursing Homes who violate the standards of care set forth by Nursing Home Laws. This Standard of Care includes:

1. Adequate Staffing - meaning a Nursing Home must meet the minimum quantity of nurses and administrators on staff for every shift.
   
   
2. Adequate Housing - Residents of Nursing Homes must have adequate facilities to live; this includes bedding, nourishment, etc.
   
   
3. Adequate Medical Care
   
   
4. Dignity - Residents should not be forced to endure emotional and physical abuse, and they should be allowed to live in a manner that allows them to retain the basic dignities all of us enjoy.
   

NURSING HOME ABUSE ATTORNEY

If you feel your loved one is being mistreated at a nursing home, your first step should be to get them out of there as soon as possible. Secondly, seek advise from a qualified attorney that may be able to address questions of improper Nursing Home Care. The most importand safeguard to stem Nursing Home Abuse is the family of the resident. Families are encouraged to investigate Nursing Homes thoroughly before admitting a loved one.