Social Media: The New Trend in Nursing Home Abuse

Deciding to place a loved elder into the care of a nursing home can be a difficult choice that involves many diverse considerations. From costs to location, there are things each family must consider in making the right choice, but having to wonder if your loved one will be treated with care and dignity shouldn’t have to enter into the debate. Unfortunately, as Charleston nursing home abuse lawyers, Steinberg Law Firm has witnessed examples of nursing home abuse and neglect far too many times.

The Role of Social Media in Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse can take many different forms, from financial exploitation to physical harm, but one type of nursing home abuse is emerging along with social media. When caretakers exploit the weaknesses of their charges for entertainment over social media, it is a form of abuse.

News stories, such as this NPR article, have begun to shed light on this new form of nursing home abuse, identifying at least three dozen cases, and more have been discovered since then. In these cases, caretakers sent degrading images of those in their care over social media, such as Snapchat.

If you suspect that your loved one may be suffering from any type of abuse in their nursing home, please contact the Steinberg Law Firm today at 843-720-2800 to schedule your free consultation with one of our Charleston nursing home abuse lawyers.