Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
No one likes to consider that their vulnerable, elderly loved one could suffer abuse at the hands of those trusted with their care. Despite the promises in their glossy brochures, nursing homes are chronically understaffed, have high staff turnover rates, and employ overwhelmed and inexperienced caregivers. Alarming national statistics reveal that over 5 million elderly Americans experience nursing home abuse each year.
Even if you feel that your loved one is in the best possible facility, you cannot be with them every moment, which means you must take a leap of faith and trust the nursing home staff with their care; however, it’s crucial to be alert to any of the possible signs of nursing home abuse, including neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing home abuse attorneys in Atlanta suggest that neglect is the most common type of nursing home abuse. This occurs when nursing home caregivers fail to meet a resident’s basic needs. Signs of neglect include the following:
- Poor hygiene and unkempt appearance
- Sudden weight loss
- Dry, chapped skin and lips
- Uneaten meals and full glasses left in the room
- Medication mistakes or missed doses
- Dirty room and bed linens
- Frequent infections
- Infected bed sores
- Confusion or disorientation
- Broken or inadequate mobility equipment
Neglect can also include abandoning a resident outside, in their room, or in a common area for an extended period.
Signs of Physical Abuse In a Nursing Home
Physical abuse in nursing homes includes hitting, punching, kicking, pinching, shoving, and other forms of assault. Common signs of physical abuse include:
- Unexplained injuries such as fractures, head injuries, lacerations, and bruises
- Broken personal items, such as glasses, hearing aids, and dentures
- Signs of physical restraint use, such as chaffed wrists and ankles
- Torn or bloodied clothing or bedding
- Social withdrawal
- Changes in mood and personality
- Reluctance to talk in front of staff members
Physical abuse takes a terrible toll on an elderly resident, resulting not only in physical harm but also decreased quality of life, overall decline in health status, and shortened life expectancy.
Emotional Abuse In Nursing Homes
A survey of 577 nursing home staff members reveals that a startling 81% of caregivers witnessed other staff members commit emotional abuse to residents in their care. Emotional abuse has effects that are detrimental to a resident’s quality of life and life expectancy. Signs of nursing home emotional abuse include the following:
- Withdrawal from family, friends, and social activities
- Changes in personality, mood, and behavior
- Intentional isolation
- Neglecting appearance and personal hygiene
- Reluctance to talk in front of a particular caregiver
Emotional abuse includes yelling, berating, threatening, intimidating, mocking, and belittling. This type of abuse causes anguish and distress that can impact overall well-being.
Nursing Home Financial Abuse
Financial abuse occurs when a caregiver or other staff member gains access to a resident’s financial accounts, cash, car, personal items, or home. Signs of nursing home financial abuse include the following:
- Unexplained financial transactions
- Missing cash and personal items
- An unknown person accessing a resident’s car or home
Financial abuse can leave a nursing home resident feeling shame and embarrassment, and has a detrimental effect on well-being as well as the resident’s finances.
Sexual Abuse In Nursing Homes
Sexual abuse includes unwanted touching and penetration by a caregiver, staff member, or another resident. Sexual abuse is the least reported type of nursing home abuse, but it’s believed to be widely underreported. Signs of nursing home sexual abuse include the following:
- Bruises on the breasts
- Bleeding and bruising around the private parts
- Torn clothing and bedding
- Emotional withdrawal
Some residents may not report sexual abuse due to feelings of shame and embarrassment, but often dementia, cognitive impairment, or aphasia leave a resident unable to report sexual abuse or other types of nursing home abuse.
How Can a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Help Me?
Nursing home abuse is an egregious form of negligence that causes pain and anguish to the victim and their families. Call a legal expert in personal injury at Piasta Wallker Hagenbush, LLC for experienced representation to hold the nursing home financially accountable for the physical, emotional, financial harm, or wrongful death caused to your loved one.