How Common Of a Problem Is Sexual Abuse In Florida Nursing Homes?

According to a recent study by researchers at Cornell University, one in five nursing home residents were abused by other residents in some form, such as physical abuse, verbal abuse, and sexual abuse. Out of those abused by other residents, one percent were sexually abused at the hands of other residents.

The truth of the matter is that sexual abuse in nursing homes most commonly occurs by other residents, and resident to resident sexual abuse is most common between residents with dementia. However, there are some residents who don’t have dementia, but are sexually aggressive towards patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s. They know that residents with these conditions won’t be able to remember the incident or communicate their thoughts. Sadly, many nursing home patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s are victims of such abuse.

Any type of sexual abuse — whether at the hands of another resident, stranger, or staff member of the facility — is horrific and should never happen in the first place. Unfortunately, sexual abuse in nursing homes typically occurs when there isn’t enough staff on hand to ensure residents’ safety.

If you or a loved one has suffered any type of abuse in a nursing home, you have legal rights to hold the facility accountable for its negligence. To learn about your legal rights, contact the Law Offices of David Benenfeld at 866-9 HELP NOW or (561) 960-5515(561) 960-5515 to speak with an experienced Fort Lauderdale nursing home abuse attorney in a complimentary consultation today.