A new report details that Inspired Living at Sun City Center in Tampa Bay, Florida can no longer take new residents after investigators discovered that caretakers allegedly haven’t done enough to stop elderly abuse among current residents.
About Elder Abuse
Unfortunately, physical abuse of an elder is more common than most people would think as well. Physical abuse is any force that causes personal injury or pain. This includes striking, hitting, beating, shoving, among other actions. Physical abuse also can mean tying down an elder with unnecessary or brutal restraints that limit movement. This can lead to muscle atrophy and further degeneration of the muscles.
ccording to the National Elder Abuse Incidence Study of 1998, approximately 67% of elder sexual abusers were family members. Another study, published in the Journal of Abuse in 2000, estimated 12.2% of elder sexual abuse victims were assaulted within their own home. Approximately 14.6% of elder sexual abuse victims were assaulted in the sexual offender’s home. The largest percentage of elder sexual abuse, around 70.7% of cases, occurred within nursing homes.
Not Stopping Elderly Abuse
Inspired Living at Sun City Center in Tampa Bay, Florida houses residents who suffer cognitive limitation. Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Administration investigated the facility and documented dozens of instances of sexual and physical abuse among residents over the last two months. The investigation determined workers and administrators at the facility rarely intervened and failed to keep the residents safe.
Specifically, the report details three residents who engaged in sexual or violent behavior, including inappropriate touching, physical altercations, and exposing genitals. Even during the investigation, an agency personnel observed a male resident grab a female resident by the neck and shoulder. Then, he began to hit her. Staff ignored it, and the agent had to intervene to save the woman.
Another resident will walk around naked, become physically aggressive towards others and will fondle female residents. Yet, the staff does nothing. State investigators also outlined a system of failures that allowed inappropriate behavior and abuse to become an ongoing problem at the facility. Workers know about the ongoing elderly abuse, yet do not address the behaviors to protect others. Plus, there are no reports being made to notify the victim’s or perpetrators’ families. Furthermore, the facility doesn’t even investigate the incidents or check on the well-being of the victims.
Get Justice for a Loved One
If you suspect abuse or neglect, do not accept denials. Instead, contact a knowledgeable lawyer experienced with representing victims. When an abuser injures a resident at a care facility, it is not always obvious what happened and legal liability. The evidence available is often incomplete and may be self-serving for the defendant – the nursing home. This is why a free consultation with us is so important. We have been assisting the injured for 20 years. We help clients from all over the country. Our consultations are completely free. Call today.