There are several different types of nursing home abuse. Those who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities can be exposed to physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse by the people or institution that is supposed to be looking after them. Nursing home residents can also fall victim to neglect.
What are the signs of nursing home abuse?
Just like everyone else, senior citizens have rights and deserve to be cared for properly. Unfortunately, many nursing home residents sustain serious damages caused by neglect, physical assault, and other types of abuse.
Since any form of nursing home abuse can result in serious physical and emotional harm, friends and family members need to be able to identify the different kinds of nursing home abuse as well as the warning signs.
If you or a member of your family were neglected, mistreated, or abused in a care facility, you could be eligible for financial compensation that covers your medical bills and other damages for the harm you endured. Reach out to the Virginia nursing home abuse lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp today.
The Five Types of Nursing Home Abuse
The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that there are five kinds of commonly reported nursing home abuse: physical abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Additional forms of abuse involve abandonment and self-neglect.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse occurs when an elderly resident endures injuries or any form of bodily harm inflicted by another resident, caregiver, or member of staff. In 2020, the World Health Organization conducted a survey in which more than 9% of care home workers confessed to physically abusing elderly residents.
Some common examples of this form of abuse include:
- Being kicked, slapped, or punched
- Being physically restrained or drugged
- Getting shoved or pushed
Warning signs that a loved one may be experiencing physical abuse include bleeding, broken bones, and bruises. Although physical abuse can be perpetrated against any elderly resident, those with cognitive conditions like dementia are at greater risk.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse takes place when a care home worker steals or manipulates a care home resident in order to get their money.
Some examples of financial abuse are:
- Abusing power of attorney to alter a resident’s will
- Stopping a resident from being able to access their personal bank account
- Stealing valuables, credit cards, or cash
- Stealing bank statements or financial records
Just because financial abuse does not usually involve any physical harm or injuries does not mean that it is not just as damaging as any other form of abuse. Not only does it cause depression and anxiety, but it could also leave victims without the means to pay for the care they need.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse, sometimes referred to as psychological or verbal abuse, happens when a staff member or another resident uses threats or insults to control the victim. Of the five forms of nursing home abuse discussed in this post, emotional abuse is by far the most common.
The same 2020 WHO survey that was mentioned earlier also indicated that 32% of care home workers admitted to verbally abusing elderly residents in their care.
Some examples of emotional abuse are:
- Controlling a resident’s activities for no medical reason
- Denigrating a resident’s intelligence or appearance
- Isolating residents from other residents, friends, and family members
- Threatening residents
Residents that endure this monstrous form of abuse are at risk of developing serious mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
The most obvious indications that a family member is being emotionally abused are adverse changes in their behavior and mood.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse takes place when a resident encounters unwelcome sexual groping, touching, or contact of any kind. Sexual abuse can result in physical injuries such as scratches, bruises, sexually transmitted diseases, and mental trauma.
Horrifyingly, sexual abuse is most often committed against elderly residents who are physically unable to give consent or are disabled.
Neglect
In a care facility or nursing home, neglect occurs when workers fail to provide a resident with the proper medical attention and care, causing the resident’s physical and mental health to deteriorate.
Neglect is not the same as abuse. Abuse is an intentional act that is carried out in order to hurt someone. Neglect is the result of staff carelessness. The instances of nursing home neglect usually increase when a care facility is short-staffed, which is currently a problem in nursing homes throughout the United States.
Some examples of neglect include:
- Medication mistakes
- Poor hygiene
- Malnutrition and dehydration
- Failing to report illnesses or injuries to family members and doctors in a timely fashion
- Disregarding a resident’s health or wellness complaints
- Not checking on a resident for a long period of time
Talk to an Elder Abuse Lawyer Today
If you suspect that a member of your family has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, and you would like to speak with an elder abuse attorney who can investigate the situation and pursue financial compensation on behalf of your family, call the Virginia nursing home abuse attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp by calling (833) 997-1774 right away.
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An experienced personal injury attorney with dual licensure in Virginia and North Carolina, Eric Washburn received a B.B.A. in Finance from James Madison University—initially worked in the information technology field before obtaining his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Once an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Danville, Va., Eric has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” Super Lawyer in Virginia since 2014.
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