Why Are Women More Susceptible To Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse and neglect is an extremely serious issue that causes great harm to some of the most vulnerable people in the country. Although it is true that nearly anyone who lives in a nursing home may experience abuse and neglect, it has been shown that women are at a higher risk. Sadly, these incidents of abuse are commonly not reported, which leaves more people at an increased risk. Below, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney explains the link between gender and abuse.
Why are Women More Prone to Experience Nursing Home Abuse?
It is true that elderly nursing home residents are more likely to experience abuse and neglect more than men. Studies have shown that two out of every three nursing home abuse victims are female. There are many reasons for this and they include:
- Physical size: Women are usually smaller in physical size than men, which means they are not always as capable to defend against the physical attack than men.
- Longer life expectancies: Today, the life expectancy for a woman is 86.6 years, while men have life expectancies of 84.3 years. The longer life expectancy means that women may spend more time in a nursing home, leaving them more susceptible to abuse.
- Medical needs: As women live longer than men, they also often incur more medical needs. This can leave them more at risk for suffering certain types of nursing home abuse, including medical malpractice. A missed diagnosis, medication error, and defective medical devices are all acts of negligence that constitute nursing home abuse.
- Disabilities: Men can suffer from long-term disabilities but women are more prone to conditions such as osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. These conditions can incapacitate women, making them unable to defend themselves. When suffering from certain conditions, a woman may not even know neglect or abuse is occurring.
Women are at Higher Risk of Sexual Abuse
Men can certainly become victims of sexual abuse, but women are at a much greater risk. When women reside in a nursing home, they are at an even higher risk of suffering sexual abuse from either staff members or other residents.
Regardless of who the perpetrator is, nursing home staff members have a legal obligation to make sure all of their residents are safe. For example, if one resident was sexually aggressive with another, staff members must take steps to keep the victim safe. These could include making sure the two people are never alone together, or speaking to the perpetrator about their behavior.
Call Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Tampa for a Free Consultation
If your loved one is suffering harm within a nursing home, they may be hesitant to come forward and report it. At Kohn Law, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney can review the facts of your case, determine if your loved one is being harmed and take the necessary action if they are. Call us now at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to obtain the help your family needs.
Sources:
cnn.com/interactive/2017/02/health/nursing-home-sex-abuse-investigation/
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0400/0400.html
