Nursing home residents deserve to live in a safe place where they can get the assistance they need. They shouldn’t ever expect to suffer from abuse or neglect to darken their time in the long-term care facility.
Several different types of abuse and neglect can occur in a nursing home. Anyone who has a loved one in one of these facilities should be watchful for signs of mistreatment.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse in nursing homes involves the intentional infliction of pain, injury or impairment upon a resident. This can include hitting, slapping, pushing or the inappropriate use of restraints. Signs of physical abuse might manifest as unexplained bruises, cuts, fractures or a sudden change in behavior.
Emotional or psychological abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse occurs when staff or others in the nursing home environment inflict mental pain or distress on a resident. This form of abuse can be verbal, such as yelling, humiliating or ridiculing the resident or nonverbal, including isolating the resident from others, ignoring them or giving them the silent treatment. Residents may show signs of emotional abuse through withdrawal, agitation or fearfulness.
Financial exploitation
Financial exploitation involves stealing money or possessions, forging the resident’s signature or coercing the resident into signing documents that transfer financial rights. It’s essentially taking advantage of the resident’s assets or money in an unauthorized or fraudulent method. Indicators of financial exploitation can include sudden changes in bank accounts, missing belongings or unexplained financial transactions.
Neglect
Neglect is failing to meet a nursing home resident’s basic needs, including food, water, shelter, clothing, hygiene and essential medical care. It can be intentional or result from inadequate staffing or training. Signs of neglect include malnutrition, dehydration, unattended medical needs, poor personal hygiene and unsafe or unsanitary living conditions.
Abandonment
Abandonment occurs when a nursing home fails to provide necessary care to a resident who is unable to care for themselves, leaving them alone without any plans for their care. This can be seen in instances where residents are left without assistance, supervision or in conditions that pose a risk to their health or safety.
Nursing home abuse and neglect can result in significant harm to patients. They may opt to pursue a compensation claim to help offset the financial damages associated with their injuries.
