Clear Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse You Should Be Aware Of
When our loved ones need extra assistance, we trust nursing homes or assisted living facilities to keep them safe. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Nursing home abuse is often widespread and leads to lifelong traumas no senior should experience during their golden years. Roughly 15,000 nursing home abuse cases occurred in 2020 alone, and thousands more go unreported each year. Understanding the warning signs of abuse and how to report it is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of our loved ones.
Types Of Abuse In Nursing Homes
Nursing home abuse doesn’t stop at physical violence alone. However, it’s the most common, with 29% of nursing home abuse cases involving physical aggression.
Abuse towards older adults can also take many forms, including:
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Medical malpractice
- Sexual violence
- Financial Abuse
Regardless of the type of abuse, caretakers or those responsible should be held accountable for their actions against older people.
Warning Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse
Each type of abuse will have its warning signs you should be aware of:
Emotional Abuse
While emotional abuse doesn’t leave any physical bruises, the trauma your loved one experiences is no less painful. Studies show that being emotionally abused could have worse effects on mental health. Some clear signs are:
- A sudden change in their behavior
- Increased aggressive behavior or lashing out toward others
- Fear, depression, and anxiety
- Withdrawal from social activities they once loved
Physical Abuse
There will often be noticeable marks if your loved one has fallen victim to physical abuse. When you visit them, look for fresh scars, burns, or bruises. When they’re constantly getting new injuries or having “‘accidents,” you should investigate the situation further.
Sexual Abuse
While sexual violence is the least common type of abuse, these situations can still happen. Vulnerable patients with dementia or female patients are at a much higher risk of being subjected to this situation. A few warning signs you should look out for are:
- Unexpected STDs
- Cuts or bruises around the private area
- Becoming distressed or scared around a specific person
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is another type of exploitation that may be hard to track if you don’t have access to your loved one’s bank accounts. It happens when someone steals their money or assets for their personal benefit. Watch out for sudden changes in account balances, unauthorized purchases, or missing items. If your loved one gets defensive or anxious when you confront them about it, this could be a sign of financial abuse.
Neglect
While neglect isn’t a direct form of abuse, it can still dramatically impact your loved one’s quality of life. By law, each nursing home has a minimum standard of care they must follow so that every patient gets the help they need. However, some unfortunate patients slip through the cracks yearly because of understaffing and overcrowding.
A few obvious signs of neglect are:
- Poor hygiene
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Untreated bedsores
- Dirty living conditions
Reporting Nursing Home Abuse In New York
Abuse is rarely a one-time event, and every minute you wait puts your loved one in more danger. Gather evidence of any signs of abuse, speak with the nursing home staff, and call New York’s Nursing Home Complaint Hotline at 1-888-201-4563 or fill out a form online. You should also contact a professional attorney if you plan on taking further legal action.
We Will Seek Justice For Your Loved One
Recognizing and reporting nursing home abuse is crucial to protecting your loved one and ensuring their safety. While the state has regulations for nursing homes, you must take legal action to hold the responsible parties accountable. As experienced personal injury lawyers, we’re committed to ensuring your loved one gets the justice they deserve. Contact us online or call us at (866) 574-0825 today to discuss your case and explore your options.