Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes

Exploring Common Varieties of Nursing Home Abuse

Residents in nursing facilities deserve compassionate and top-quality care from their caregivers. Tragically, many individuals become abuse and neglect victims within long-term care establishments, assisted living facilities, and other care residences.

Outlined below are the most prevalent forms of abuse encountered in nursing homes:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse encompasses deliberate acts of physical harm inflicted upon nursing home residents. Such acts can be committed by nursing home staff, administrators, or even other residents.

Forms of physical abuse may manifest as:

• Striking or punching a resident
• Kicking a resident
• Physically restraining a resident
• Pushing or shoving a resident
• Throwing objects at a resident

Like other forms of nursing home abuse, physical abuse can result in prolonged mental or emotional suffering. Furthermore, it can lead to grave injuries that frail nursing home residents may struggle to recover from due to their compromised health.

Maintaining vigilance and recognizing the early signs of physical abuse is crucial in preventing its dire consequences.

Indications of physical abuse in nursing home residents could include:

• Damaged eyeglasses or assistive devices
• Bruising, cuts, and bleeding
• Unexplained fractures

Notably, only a fraction of physical elder abuse cases, approximately 1 in 20, are reported to authorities, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Prompt action is paramount to forestall severe harm to your loved ones. Obtain a complimentary legal case evaluation to explore potential courses of action if your family member has experienced abuse in a nursing home.

Sexual Abuse

The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) reports that around 1.9% of elderly residents in long-term care settings, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities, endure sexual abuse.

Perpetrators may subject residents to nudity, engage in inappropriate genital contact, or even commit sexual assault. Such shocking instances of abuse within nursing homes can lead to physical harm and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Due to many residents’ incapacity to provide consent, any form of sexual contact in long-term care facilities could be classified as sexual abuse.

Should you suspect your loved one has suffered sexual abuse, consider collaborating with a nursing home abuse attorney to explore your available avenues.

Neglect within Nursing Homes

Nursing home neglect pertains to the failure to furnish residents with essential personal care, hygiene upkeep, and medical attention. Various forms of neglect exist, all of which can severely harm those under the care of these facilities.

Noteworthy Neglect Categories:

1. Failure to reposition bedridden or wheelchair-bound residents, leading to excruciating stage 4 bedsores.
2. Medication errors, a common type of elder neglect, which can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities.
3. Deprivation of proper nutrition, which can trigger dehydration, malnutrition, and other physical health complications.
4. Hygiene neglect, encompassing the failure to bathe residents, assist with grooming, change bed linens, or maintain cleanliness. This negligence can contribute to infections and related issues.
5. Additional neglect forms include failing to report injuries, delaying medical care, leaving residents unattended, or neglecting to inform families about a resident’s passing.

Regrettably, nursing home neglect can swiftly lead to fatal outcomes for frail residents. In such tragic cases, surviving family members might be able to pursue wrongful death lawsuits on their behalf.

Experienced personal injury attorneys specializing in nursing home neglect can provide insights into your legal rights. Initiate the process by assessing your eligibility to file a nursing home lawsuit.

Exploring Diverse Forms of Nursing Home Abuse

Beyond neglect and physical or sexual abuse, various other warning signs indicate subpar care within nursing homes.

• Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse is the most frequently reported form of nursing home abuse. It involves caregivers using threats, intimidation, or insults to control residents. Given their reliance on caregivers, nursing home residents may fear reporting abuse, which makes emotional abuse particularly distressing.
• Financial Abuse: Finances are exploited when someone takes advantage of their resources. This could involve unauthorized access to bank accounts, misuse of credit cards, manipulation of health insurance payments, and more. Such exploitation can result in dire financial consequences, especially for those on fixed incomes.
• Self-Neglect: A consequence of nursing home abuse, self-neglect occurs when residents refuse essential care like eating or drinking, often due to anxiety, fear, or intimidation from staff or fellow residents.
• Verbal Abuse: Psychological abuse through the use of threats or harmful words is another concern. Examples include insults, mockery, or yelling at residents.

Identifying Vulnerable Individuals

Nursing home abuse is an unfortunate reality, and any resident can be at risk. While not all facilities are dangerous, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate a facility’s credentials and attributes to protect your loved ones.

Safeguarding Measures:

• Accreditation from recognized organizations like The Joint Commission.
• Certified staff training in CPR, nursing, and other relevant areas.
• Compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Presence of licensed/certified nurses.
• Positive testimonials from residents and their families.
• Transparent staff background information.

While selecting a high-quality facility can’t guarantee absolute safety, it significantly reduces the likelihood of abuse and neglect. A well-staffed establishment with adequately trained professionals can significantly mitigate the risk of various types of nursing home abuse.

Perpetrators of Abuse

Nursing home residents may fall victim to abuse by those responsible for their care, finances, and well-being. A National Institutes of Health study suggests that inadequate training might contribute to abuse, especially among certified nursing assistants (CNAs), who often provide direct care.

Those Who Commit Abuse:

• Nursing home CNAs and staff
• Nursing home administrators and management
• Other nursing home residents
• Visiting family members or loved ones

Taking Action If Your Loved One Is Harmed

In cases of abuse, seeking justice and compensation for medical expenses and suffering is possible. Here are recommended steps to address different forms of nursing home abuse:

1. Report the abuse to the facility, documenting it for potential legal action.
2. Involve the police by filing a report to ensure appropriate help.
3. Contact an ombudsman or Adult Protective Services (APS) for investigation and support.
4. Consult a nursing home abuse attorney to understand legal options and next steps.

To learn more about nursing home abuse or explore your legal avenues, contact the Nursing Home Abuse Group for a complimentary case review. They can potentially connect you with top-tier nursing home law firms in the country.