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Blog 
Nursing Home Abuse
- Is the multistate nursing compact putting our Virginia elders at risk?
- Virginia nursing home supervisor refuses to take blame for abuse
- Beware sweet-talking financial abusers targeting elders in Virginia
- Eye Opening Facts about Virginia Elder Abuse & Neglect
- Questions for suspected cases of Virginia elder abuse / neglect
Firm News
Record $677 Million Nursing Home Abuse Verdict
Posted on 8/29/2010
Virginia Nursing Home Administrator embroiled in abuse complaints
Posted on 7/31/2010
More elder abuse scams target vulnerable Virginia citizens
Posted on 7/31/2010
This Memorial Day, Focus on Abuse of Veterans in Nursing Homes
Posted on 5/31/2010
Virginia Beach nursing home with violations will retain govn’t funding
Posted on 4/29/2010
Virginia Beach nursing home may lose Medicare and Medicaid funding
Posted on 3/31/2010
Jury awards senior $7.75 million in nursing home abuse lawsuit
Posted on 2/27/2010
Kickbacks lead to nursing home residents being prescribed drugs
Posted on 1/29/2010
Virginia Beach nurse implicated in nursing home identity theft
Posted on 1/29/2010
Cases of nursing home abuse and neglect may go up over the holiday season
Posted on 11/30/2009
Firm Library
Nursing Home Abuse
- How to File a Nursing Home Abuse Complaint in Virginia
- Suspect financial elder abuse? Your local Virginia bank teller could be an unexpected ally
- Nursing home abuse and neglect in Virginia – a bigger problem than anyone realizes
- Virginia Elder Abuse: It Can Happen Anywhere
- Fighting for the Rights of Nursing Home Residents: the Healthcare Bill Targets Elder Abuse
Nursing home abuse and neglect in Virginia – a bigger problem than anyone realizes
Nursing home abuse and neglect is a topic that few people in Virginia like to talk about. Not only is the topic unpleasant, but there is that hidden fear in all of us that some day we ourselves might be victims of abuse or neglect. However, it is important to remember that the more we do now to understand and combat nursing home abuse, the better our elders will be treated and in turn the better we ourselves will be treated as we age.
Virginia elder abuse can happen anywhere
When the topic of elderly people and abuse comes up, the focus is often on nursing home abuse. Nursing home abuse and neglect gets much more legislative attention than elder abuse by home health workers or family members. What many people don’t realize is that abuse can happen anywhere, even at home. In fact, some experts believe that two-thirds of elder abusers are family members.
Elder abuse comes in many forms: financial, physical, sexual, emotional abuse, rape, neglect, and much more. Policy makers have a hard time figuring out how many elders are abused or neglected in the US every year; the National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that the number is between 700,000 and 3.5 million. The most common problem? Neglect.
Why Virginia seniors suffer abuse
It’s a troubling question: why are so many elderly people being hurt or left uncared for? There are a number of explanations. One, once people get old they may not have many family members left to care for them, and younger family members may be unwilling to put the time and financial effort necessary into providing proper care.
Elders who suffer from mental challenges like dementia are also abused more frequently. They can be very difficult to live with and care for, and if abuse does happen they may not remember what happened or who did it, or they may be unable to communicate that there is a problem.
Abuse and neglect often goes unnoticed because seniors don’t get out and about as much as other people. For example, child abuse is caught more easily because children have friends, they go to school or daycare, they visit the pediatrician, and more. Seniors on the other hand can be hidden away in a room or basement where abuse or neglect can go on for years without being discovered – if it is discovered at all.
Why don’t more people speak up about abuse? Shame is one reason – especially if abuse is known to be happening in a family. People feel immense guilt turning in a family member for abuse. However, it is important that we remember that elder abuse is a crime, and seniors have rights.
Please don’t hesitate to get help if you believe that a loved one is suffering in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or at home.
Weisberg & Zaleski, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
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Michael S. Weisberg, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
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