When you sign your loved one into a nursing home, you hope that they will be accorded the highest standard of care and respect. While this is mostly the case, unfortunate cases of nursing home abuse do occur, causing untold suffering to vulnerable residents.
Nursing home abuse manifests in different forms, all highly damaging to the physical and emotional well-being of elderly residents. Some of the most common include the following.
Physical abuse
This involves pushing and hitting the elderly, as well as the inappropriate use of restraints, resulting in bruises, fractures and other physical injuries. Physical abuse can also include force-feeding or withholding necessary medication, leading to further harm and deterioration of the resident’s health. The effects of physical abuse extend beyond the immediate injuries, often causing emotional trauma, fear and a loss of trust in caregivers.
Financial abuse
Another damaging form of nursing home abuse is financial exploitation, where caregivers or staff members take advantage of elderly residents’ financial resources for their own gain. This can include stealing money or valuable possessions, coercing residents into signing over financial assets or using their personal information for fraudulent purposes.
Psychological abuse
While it may not leave visible physical scars, this form of abuse is equally damaging and often goes unnoticed. This form of abuse involves behaviors such as verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation or isolation aimed at exerting control and power over the resident. Caregivers or staff members may use belittling language, yell at residents or intentionally ignore their needs, causing significant emotional distress and trauma.
Sexual abuse
Residents in nursing homes may also fall victim to sexual abuse, which involves any non-consensual sexual activity or contact perpetrated against them. This can include unwanted touching, sexual assault, rape or coerced sexual acts. Perpetrators of sexual abuse can be caregivers, staff members, other residents or even visitors to the facility. Victims of sexual abuse often experience profound psychological and emotional trauma and may also suffer physical injuries or contract sexually transmitted infections.
If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, consider seeking legal guidance to understand your options for legal recourse.