Types of Nursing Home Abuse

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Types of Nursing Home Abuse

If you’ve visited a loved one in a nursing home and found them changed, you have a right to be concerned. Many people are unhappy about spending their later years in one and are adamant about it. But sudden changes in behavior or demeanor could also be a sign that your loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse. Their nursing home should be where they are cared for and safe.

nursing home abuse

Abuse of residents in nursing homes is one of the most under-reported crimes in the US. In 2020, nursing home ombudsmen (advocates) received more than 15,000 complaints of abuse levied against people who are usually unable to defend themselves. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that the wider problem of elder abuse affects as many as five million adults over the age of 60.

Nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable because of their medical conditions and inability to defend themselves against physical assaults or other types of abuse. But just because there are no bruises or other physical symptoms does not mean abuse isn’t present.

Physical Or Sexual Abuse

The World Health Organization estimates that one in six persons over 60 has experienced some form of elder abuse in a year’s time. In nursing homes, two out of three staffers report that they have committed abuse against a resident. Abuse in nursing homes has increased during the pandemic.

Elders with dementia or other cognitive issues may not be able to communicate clearly that they have suffered abuse. Nursing home residents are at the mercy of caretakers and others who may visit them.

Striking a resident or using chemical or physical restraints are just some of the ways residents may be physically abused. Bruising or other unexplained injuries should not be ignored and reported to the home’s ombudsmen.

The nursing home is required to keep residents safe from all types of harm, including non-consensual activity. Residents who are sexually abused may also exhibit physical signs of abuse such as bruising or other injuries. They may also develop sexually transmitted diseases in addition to the emotional harm they may have suffered.

Neglect Or Abandonment

Many nursing homes are understaffed, leaving residents without help or care for a longer period. Residents who are intentionally ignored may go too long without the help they need. Signs that the nursing home staff are purposely neglecting a resident may experience:

• Bedsores from not being turned
• Scabies from lack of bathing
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Not taking medication as prescribed
• Failing to assist with restroom

A resident left on their own may attempt to get out of bed to help themselves. For a frail, injured, or disabled resident, that can lead to a fall and additional injuries.

Emotional And Verbal Abuse

Nursing home residents rely heavily on the very people who are hired to care for them. So they are the most intimidated when a staff member ignores them, yells at or threatens them, or inflicts other abuse such as:

• Threatening physical harm
• Threatening to prevent them from seeing family and friends
• Claiming that their family or friends no longer care about or want to visit them
• Denying a resident food, water, medications, or access to hygiene
• Mocking or yelling at a resident who is confused or makes mistakes

Emotional abuse is the most reported form of nursing home abuse and can leave a resident with fear, anxiety, depression, and other long-term consequences.

Financial Abuse

It’s one of the most difficult abuses to detect and can cost a nursing home resident everything. Staff members or relatives who become friendly with a resident convince them to add them to their bank accounts and credit cards, give them money, change their life insurance and wills, or other ways to gain access to their financial accounts. “Long lost relatives” may show up later to renew a relationship for the purpose of defrauding the nursing home resident.

For residents with cognitive issues, overseeing their financial affairs is vital to protecting them from fraud and theft. Direct deposit, online access, and a backup for brokerage and other accounts can create a buffer between abusers and the resident’s accounts. Contact your elder’s financial institutions to ask about what protections they can offer.

Elders who aren’t regularly visited by the concerned families are the most likely targets of abuse. If no one is checking on them, the abuse continues without consequences. Friends and family who visit and check in on residents frequently can detect signs of abuse and neglect.

Defending The Vulnerable

Because a nursing home lawsuit can be complicated, it’s important to have an attorney who understands the complexities of such a case. Contact The Love Law Firm today at (304) 344-5683 for a free consultation. We’ve helped thousands of West Virginians fight for their loved ones in nursing homes, and we’re ready to fight for your loved one.

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