If you have a family member in a nursing home or you plan to move a loved one to a facility, it’s crucial to understand the various types of abuse in a nursing home. This knowledge will help you better protect your loved ones. When you believe your family member is the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it’s time to speak with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer. The legal team at Senior Justice Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.
Some studies estimate that one in 10 Americans aged 60 and over experience elder abuse. However, very few incidents get reported to authorities. The number of reported cases drops when you look at nursing homes because few studies look at institutional abuse.
Physical Abuse
When most people think about elder abuse, they likely think about physical abuse. This type of abuse occurs when someone:
- Slaps,
- Strikes,
- Kicks,
- Pushes,
- Punches,
- Grabs, or
- Throws an object.
Improperly restraining a resident can also be physical abuse. Contact our office if you have questions about whether something rises to physical abuse.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is one of the most common types of abuse in a nursing home. Examples of emotional abuse include:
- Verbal attacks, including screaming;
- Isolating the resident from their family, friends, or even other residents;
- Threatening the resident;
- Repeated harassment;
- Taunting;
- Limiting or denying mental stimulation; and
- Denying or restricting the use of communication devices.
Emotional abuse is often harder to detect since there aren’t physical wounds. Residents unable to communicate may not be able to tell family members what’s happening.
Sexual Abuse
No one wants to think about a loved one becoming the victim of sexual abuse, but there’s always a risk. Sexual abuse is any unwanted or unsolicited sexual activity. It does not only refer to sexual intercourse. Examples include:
- Groping,
- Displaying nude photos,
- Exposing themselves to a resident,
- Forcing a resident to watch porn,
- Unwanted touching, and
- Oral intercourse.
Sexual abuse is not limited to staff members. Your loved one could be victimized by other residents or people visiting the facility.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is a common problem with families and in-home caregivers, but it can also happen in nursing homes. Examples of financial abuse include:
- Stealing someone’s personal financial documents;
- Forging checks, documents, or other financial information; and
- Unauthorized use of a resident’s money or accounts.
Watch for unauthorized withdrawals, missing money, or even changes to legal documents, such as a will.
Nursing Home Neglect
The various types of nursing home abuse and neglect may be evidenced by dehydration, malnutrition, and abandonment. Nursing home neglect is not to be taken lightly. Victims can suffer serious harm. In some situations, neglect can rise to the level of abuse. Nursing home neglect can include:
- Not bathing or failing to provide proper hygiene,
- Forgetting to bring meals,
- Not giving prescribed medication,
- Not regularly moving an immobile resident, and
- Ignoring complaints.
Do not ignore issues of neglect. Your family member could be at risk.
Contact a Nursing Home Lawyer
Contact the Senior Justice Law Firm immediately if you have questions about different types of abuse in a nursing home. We have years of experience in nursing home abuse matters and are here to help. Our legal team understands what’s at stake and can assist you with reporting the abuse and pursuing legal action against the parties. Schedule an initial consultation so we can review your case and help you decide how best to proceed.