U.S. Census Bureau reports estimate that there will be approximately 62 million people over 65 years old in the U.S. by 2025. Many of these elders will require some form of long-term care, with a great percentage of them eventually living in nursing homes.

Abuse of elders in nursing homes has become an increasingly serious problem in  Arizona and across America. Despite both state and federal efforts to remedy this alarming situation, instances of  abuse and neglect of elders in nursing homes continues to rise. Our   Arizona nursing home abuse attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of residents in nursing homes across the state and we strive to ensure that elder abuse laws in Arizona are continually upheld. In every case we take, we diligently explore the facility's history of violations to reveal any pattern of negligence and investigate their staffing policies.

The National Center on Elder Abuse defines elder neglect as the " refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder," and abuse as "any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult."

Sadly, elderly nursing home residents are particularly susceptible to neglect and abuse because most have age-related physical and mental ailments. Many also suffer from several chronic diseases that lead to physical limitations, making them dependent on others for assistance in the most basic daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, eating and using the toilet. This makes them some of society's most vulnerable victims, incapable of either defending themselves or  reporting misconduct to authorities.

In America, today, it is estimated that negligence accounts for nearly 50% of nursing home abuse cases. The misery, personal indignity, preventable decline in health, and premature death caused by nursing home negligence is truly a national tragedy. Neglect occurs when a caregiver does not provide life's basic essentials, such as adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, medicine, and personal safety. This can also include failing to provide immobile nursing home patients with proper personal hygiene, or failing to assist a disabled nursing home resident to the bathroom or to bathe. Failing to provide an elderly resident with a required special diet, not assisting a resident during mealtime when they require assistance, or not contacting the resident's physician when necessary can also constitute Arizona elder abuse or negligence.

Other examples of nursing home neglect include isolation, abandonment and social exclusion. These situations not only place residents unattended, but can cause extreme emotional distress, which often leads to an overall decline of the individual.

Some additional signs that a nursing home resident may be a victim of negligence include:

·  Bed sores (pressure sores or decubitus ulcers)  - 
Adequate staffing, proper nutrition and hygiene, time and effort are necessary factors in the prevention of pressure sores in immobile patients. 
·  Malnutrition and dehydration - 
Malnutrition among nursing home residents is not uncommon. Many elderly patients need assistance while eating, or have physical conditions that hinder appetite, swallowing and chewing. Residents with restricted mobility must have water easily accessible to them. 
·  Untreated health problems  - 
Physical and emotional health problems that are left untreated can cause nursing home residents serious harm. For example, untreated bedsores can quickly destroy tissue and depression can lead to loss of appetite.
·  Unsafe or unsanitary environment  -
Faulty equipment, such as wheel chairs with non-functioning brakes, or bed rails that do not function properly can be a hazard. Soiled bedding can lead to pressure sores and other skin problems. Rodent or insect infestations in a nursing home facility can quickly spread diseases.
·  Insufficient supervision - 
Nursing home residents with Alzheimer's or who are on medications that might cause confusion should not be allowed to wander outside of the facility unsupervised. 

Most certainly, any report by an Arizona nursing home resident that negligence has occurred should be taken seriously and investigated. In all cases of negligence, the issue is not whether the neglect was intentional, but whether your loved one's health or safety was compromised. If you suspect your friend or relative is a victim of Arizona nursing home negligence or has died as a result of medical negligence in an Arizona nursing home or long-term facility,  contact nursing home abuse and neglect lawyerse today for a free consultation.