How to Spot Nursing Home Abuse
Understanding The Different Types of Nursing Home Abuse
As individuals get older, their physical and mental abilities decrease in strength. As a result, senior citizens are vulnerable to abuse at the hands of people who work at and operate nursing homes. Unfortunately, statistics suggest that that elder abuse occurs often. While any type of mental or physical change in behavior is common among individuals who live in nursing homes, those changes may also be symptoms of nursing home abuse. If your loved one is placed in a nursing home, you should understand what signs and symptoms often suggest that abuse is occurring.
Common Signs of Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes
Some of the most common signs of physical abuse in nursing homes include the following:
- Broken eyeglasses
- Unexplained broken bones or sprains
- Bruising or scarring anywhere on the body
- Failing to take medications properly
- Signs of restraints having been used
Signs of Emotional Abuse in Nursing Home Residents
Some of the most common signs of emotional abuse of the elderly include a type of unusual behavior, which most often includes:
- Repetitive rocking motions
- Thumb sucking
- Unexplained crying
- Witnessing belittling or controlling behavior
Signs of Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Unfortunately, sexual abuse occurs at an alarming rate among elderly residents of nursing homes. Some of the most common signs of elderly abuse include:
- Anal or vaginal bleeding that is not associated with a medical condition
- Bloody or stained underwear
- Bruising around the anus, breasts, or genitals
- Unexplained genital warts or STDs
Financial Exploitation of Nursing Home Residents
Unfortunately, elderly nursing home residents are particularly susceptible to financial exploitation. Some of the most common signs of financial abuse include:
- Changes in the elderly person’s financial situation
- Changes in an elderly person’s estate planning documents
- Money missing from the elderly person’s room
- Unexplained withdrawal from an elderly person’s bank account
Signs that a Caregiver is Likely to Abuse a Nursing Home Resident
While many nursing home caregivers provide excellent care, there are also some caregivers who commit nursing home abuse. Some of the signs that a nursing home caregiver is likely to commit abuse include:
- Alcohol or drug use by caregivers
- Having no other support to care for the nursing home resident
- Inability to cope with the stress of caregiving
- Suffering from depression
- Viewing care for the nursing home resident as providing little reward
Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Attorney
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, you should not hesitate to contact a knowledgeable lawyer. At Ferrara & Gable, we understand just how devastating this type of abuse can be on nursing home residents as well as their loved ones, which is why we are committed to fighting for the best possible results. Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation, during which time we will discuss the various available options that you have to pursue, including a lawsuit against the nursing home to receive compensation from the abuser.