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Hawaii Elder/Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

While Hawaii does not have as many nursing home residents as other states, there are still some cases of nursing home abuse throughout the islands. Unfortunately, reports of nursing home abuse are far too high across America. The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that more than 50% of America's nursing homes are understaffed. This, coupled with numerous other factors, may lead to elder/nursing home abuse, which occurs in around 30% of all nursing homes across America today.

Elder abuse is a term used to describe mistreatment and neglect of older adults. According to the World Health Organization, elder abuse is a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.

Elder/nursing home abuse presents itself in many different forms, and can range from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse to malnutrition, financial exploitation, and pure neglect. Sometimes the abuse is simply in the failure to take action to prevent injury or death, such as in cases of neglect. Bruises, broken bones, or a sudden decline or change in physical or mental health, are signs that a resident may be a victim of abuse. The signs of neglect may be a bit harder to notice because the injuries aren't as readily apparent. Neglect includes providing insufficient food and water, inadequate attention to hygiene in residents who are not self-sufficient, inadequate medical care, and failure to assist residents who have mobility issues.

Threats of punishment, humiliation, and harassment have been defined as mental abuse. Additionally, verbal, written or gestured messages that convey a negative or belittling message, even if the patient's mental state or disability prevents comprehension, is considered abusive. A resident may not be prevented from interacting with other residents or having access to his/her room except under brief, monitored circumstances. Restricting a resident's rights in these ways is also deemed within the law to be mental abuse.

A loved one may be hesitant or unwilling to speak about these abuses, because of embarrassment or fear of retaliation; therefore, you should carefully monitor your loved one and their living environment, and take particular note of any sudden change in your loved one's appearance or demeanor, which may signal that some sort of mistreatment is taking place.

A less common problem in nursing homes is the abuse of a resident by another resident. If you or someone you love has experienced this kind of abuse, you should also contact a Hawaii civil lawyer or attorney if you are seeking damages outside of the facility.

Elder abuse also occurs outside of a nursing home setting, most often by a relative, associate, paid caregiver or companion. Not only does elder abuse in a private home setting include all the variants of abuse that occur in care facilities, but it can also include the desertion of an elderly person who is not self-sufficient, resulting in their endangerment.

If you have made the difficult decision to place a family member in a nursing home, you and your family member shouldn't have to suffer through any type of neglect or abuse at the hands of a caregiver or even other residents. If you suspect that someone you love has been abused or mistreated in a nursing home, or has suffered any type of abuse at the hands of another nursing home resident, you should contact a Hawaii elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney. You should also contact a Hawaii civil lawyer or attorney if you are seeking damages outside of the facility.

An elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney will more than likely offer a free nursing home abuse consultation where they will evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, and assess any damages they feel you are entitled to as a result of any abuse or neglect caused by a Hawaii nursing home.

If you are ready to contact a Hawaii elder/nursing home abuse lawyer or attorney, visit the American Bar Association website and use the lawyer locator. Access to the site is free.