Elderly Abuse in Nursing Homes: Here’s What You Should Do
Elder abuse in nursing homes is a serious problem that affects countless elderly individuals across the country. Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, and financial abuse. The effects of elder abuse can be devastating and have a lasting impact on an older person’s physical, emotional, and economic well-being.
Types of Abuse Elders Encounter in Nursing Homes
Physical abuse is among nursing homes’ most common forms of elder abuse. This abuse can include physical assaults, inappropriate use of restraints, and other forms of physical force, resulting in severe physical injuries, such as broken bones, bruises, and lacerations. In addition, physical abuse can lead to psychological trauma, such as fear and anxiety.
Emotional abuse is another common form of elder abuse in nursing homes. This type of abuse can involve verbal or nonverbal mistreatment, including name-calling, belittling, and humiliation. Emotional abuse can lead to feelings of worthlessness, depression, and anxiety. It can also lead to a decline in an older person’s mental health.
Financial abuse is another form of elder abuse in nursing homes. This type of abuse involves misusing or exploiting an older person’s finances. Financial abuse can include taking an older person’s money or property without their knowledge or consent or forging an elderly person’s signature on documents. Financial abuse can leave the more senior person vulnerable to financial exploitation and may lead to long-term financial hardship.
The effects of elder abuse in nursing homes can be far-reaching and have an enormous impact on the elderly’s overall quality of life. Victims of elder abuse may suffer from physical pain, emotional distress, and financial hardship. In addition, elder abuse can lead to a decline in an elderly person’s physical and mental health and a decrease in their quality of life.
What You Can Do
It is essential to recognize the signs of elder abuse in nursing homes and to take action to protect elderly individuals from abuse. If you suspect an elderly person is being abused, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities. By reporting elder abuse, you can help protect the rights and well-being of elderly individuals and help make sure that they receive the care and protection they need and deserve.
The first step is to report the suspected abuse to the proper authorities. In the United States, the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is the primary government agency responsible for investigating allegations of elder abuse in nursing homes. They can provide resources and assistance to help you and your loved one.
It is also important to document the abuse. That can include taking pictures of any physical injuries, keeping a journal of incidents, and collecting other evidence. All these will be helpful when filing a complaint or making a claim in civil court.
If the abuse is serious, it is vital to seek medical attention for the victim. That can help to ensure their safety and well-being, and it can also provide substantial evidence for the investigation.
It would be best if you also considered seeking legal advice from a qualified attorney. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and can provide guidance on how to proceed with a case.
Finally, it is important to remember that nursing home abuse is a crime. If you believe a loved one is being abused, it is important to contact the authorities and seek legal advice. Doing so can help ensure the safety of your loved one, and it can also help to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Conclusion
Elder abuse in nursing homes is a serious issue that should not be tolerated. Elder abuse can have serious physical, psychological, and financial implications for an elderly person, and it is important to ensure that the elderly population is protected from such abuse.
Nursing homes should also create appropriate policies and procedures to ensure that the elderly population is protected from abuse. Finally, it is vital to raise awareness about the issue of elder abuse in nursing homes and to help ensure that all elderly people are safe and secure in their environment.
Should you need the help of personal injury lawyers in Phoenix, we are here to help. Bossie, Reilly, & Oh was founded to ensure that vulnerable adults and the elderly are given a voice. Our firm is committed to holding nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, and assisted living facilities responsible for the mistreatment and neglect of those who are elderly and vulnerable. We are proud to fight for the rights of the elderly and vulnerable in our community. Work with us today!