Find Out What Acts Constitute as Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse occurs when residents of long-term care facilities are mistreated in any way. This can include physical, emotional, financial, sexual, or neglect-based harm. Family members must be aware of any signs of abuse and report it, which may involve consulting with a nursing home abuse lawyer. Nursing homes should provide a safe environment for elderly adults, and it is vital to take action when this is not the case.
Here are several acts that officially constitute nursing home abuse.
Abandonment
Abandonment is when an individual responsible for caring for an older person abandons that person. This can occur in a nursing home and is an act of abuse. Nursing home abuse is thought to be a widespread problem, although there is no exact data to back this up. It is estimated by the National Council on Aging (NCA) that around five million older people in the U.S. have suffered from some form of abuse or neglect.
Emotional
Physical abuse may leave marks and bruises, but emotional abuse can also cause serious damage. People may be verbally attacked or manipulated in a way that affects their mental health. Signs such as sudden changes in mood, difficulty concentrating, and withdrawal from activities can indicate that someone is being emotionally abused.
The NHAJ reports 21 percent of abuse is emotional or psychological.
Financial
In simpler terms, financial abuse is when people exploit older adults in nursing homes, often resulting in them having money taken away from them or being forced into unwanted financial decisions. This is a form of abuse and is not acceptable.
Financial abuse in nursing homes happens at a similar rate as sexual cases, with the NHAJ reporting it constitutes about 7 percent of all reports.
Neglect
Nursing home residents require special attention and monitoring. If their needs are not met, it can be considered neglect, a form of mistreatment. For instance, not providing fresh clothing and bedding to a resident is an example of neglect. Additionally, not providing enough food or recreational activities could signify neglect.
Neglect cases rank higher in nursing home abuse cases at 14 percent per the NHAJ.
Physical
Family members may become suspicious of abuse if they notice physical signs such as cuts, bruises, or other injuries on their loved ones that can’t be explained. Victims may be unable to explain the reason for these injuries, leaving family members to rely on the word of the staff members until they can investigate further.
According to the Nursing Home Abuse Justice (NHAJ) statistics, 29 percent of complaints are due to physical abuse.
Sexual
Sexual abuse is when someone is involved in sexual contact without their free and informed consent. It can leave victims feeling scared, humiliated, and embarrassed, making it hard to come forward and tell people close to them about the abuse.
According to the NHAJ, 7 percent of nursing home abuse cases are sexual.
In Closing
It is a tragedy when elderly individuals receive inadequate care in long-term facilities. Too often, this is due to a need for more qualified personnel. Senior citizens who require full-time monitoring or aid due to age or ill health are especially vulnerable. Nursing homes should be prepared to employ enough staff to ensure that residents receive proper care. Neglect or mistreatment should never be tolerated, and those responsible must be held accountable for their actions.
Know Anyone Suffering from Nursing Home Abuse? Call Bossie, Reilly, and Oh
The founders of Bossie, Reilly & Oh created their firm intending to take action against negligence and mistreatment of the elderly and disabled. Through our hard work and dedication, we have achieved numerous successful cases leading to six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts for our clients. We are passionate about giving voices to the most vulnerable members of society and strive to fight for their rights. Call us at (602) 851-9899, so we can look at your nursing home abuse case.