What Are the Most Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse?

 Posted on August 24, 2022 in Nursing Home Abuse

Many families rely on nursing homes to ensure that their elderly loved ones are cared for. A nursing home or assisted living facility is meant to be a safe, healthy, supportive environment where a person can live comfortably, enjoy their time around others, and receive the proper medical and personal care. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect is a reality in many facilities across the country. Families need to be aware of the different types of abuse that can occur, and those who are concerned that their loved ones have been the victims of abuse can work with a personal injury attorney to determine their legal options.

Forms of Abuse That Can Affect Nursing Home Residents

There are many different types of nursing home abuse, but the actions that can cause harm to residents will often fall into the following categories:

• Physical abuse - This type of nursing home abuse can involve any type of physical force being used against a nursing home resident that results in pain or injury. Hitting, slapping, kicking, shoving, and using excessive force when moving a person are all examples of physical abuse. Staff members may also physically restrain patients or use other methods of control, such as administering medications to keep a person sedated.

• Sexual abuse - Nursing home residents may experience multiple types of abuse or exploitation of a sexual nature, including sexual assault, unwanted sexual contact, or forms of humiliation such as forcing a person to disrobe in front of others. Sexual abuse may be committed by staff members, other residents, or personnel such as maintenance or janitorial staff. In many cases, residents with dementia or other conditions that limit their ability to understand what is happening and communicate with others may be targeted for abuse.

• Verbal and emotional abuse - These forms of abuse can involve yelling, calling nursing home residents vulgar or disrespectful names, making threats, or isolating them from other residents or activities. This can result in significant emotional trauma that can greatly affect a person's overall well-being.

• Financial exploitation - A nursing home employee or staff member may steal money or property from a resident or convince the person to sign over power of attorney or give them access to their bank accounts. Financial exploitation can also occur when nursing home staff members coerce residents into paying for unnecessary services or goods.

• Neglect - Failure to properly monitor patients and provide the necessary supervision, medical treatment, and personal care can result in a great deal of harm. Some common forms of neglect include failing to provide adequate food and water, providing substandard medical care, or not assisting residents with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing.

Contact Our Bloomington Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

If you believe that your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, it is important to take action. You should report the abuse to the nursing home administrators and contact an experienced attorney to discuss your legal options. At Kanoski Bresney, our Springfield nursing home abuse lawyers can help you hold the nursing home and any responsible parties accountable. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 888-826-8682.

Sources:

https://medtruth.com/articles/health-features/types-of-elder-abuse/

https://ncea.acl.gov/FAQ.aspx

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK98786/?report=reader