Nursing Home Negligence

Physical abuse is probably the most common type of abuse in nursing homes, as well as one of the most detrimental types of abuse for an elderly person’s health. This type of abuse is defined as non-accidental use of physical force against an elderly person. This force can result in pain, impairment, and sometimes death. Another type of physical abuse that is more subtle is the inappropriate use of drugs for a variety of reasons or the unnecessary use of physical restraints. There have been documented cases of physical abuse in nursing homes where elderly residents have been punched, kicked, slapped, and even choked.

This is one of the most difficult types of abuse to detect because it is not nearly as obvious as bruises, broken bones, or other signs that are a result of physical abuse. Emotional abuse in the verbal sense can include shouting or threatening language, ridicule and verbal humiliation, or consistently blaming the elderly person for things that are nor his or her fault. This type of abuse can also be passive, such as ignoring an elderly person or forcing them to endure periods of extended isolation. Emotional abuse can have such a devastating effect on an elderly person that it can lead to physical symptoms.

Both caregivers and strangers have opportunity to take control of an elderly person’s finances in an abusive manner. Financial abuse in nursing homes happens when a caregiver uses their position of authority to extort money or gain the trust of an elderly person for the purpose of taking their money. There have been many cases reported where a caregiver has intentionally misused a resident’s credit cards or bank account information. Another type of financial abuse involves healthcare fraud where money is charged for services that are never delivered.

Neglecting to provide elderly residents with the standard level of treatment and care that they need is simply unacceptable. If you have noticed that your loved one has experienced weight loss or is showing signs of dehydration, he or she may not be receiving the food and water they need. Nursing homes are commonly understaffed and staff members are not always adequately trained, and it is the residents who suffer as a result. Left unattended, elderly people can suffer from malnutrition, falls, inadequate sanitation, untreated bed sores, and more.