Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse
by
Gabriel Levin on Jan. 13, 2015
Civil & Human Rights Elder Law Accident & Injury Personal Injury
Summary: No person should ever have to be the victim of any type of abuse. Unfortunately, certain individuals are more vulnerable to abuse than others, including small children and people with special needs.
No person should ever have to be the victim of any type of abuse. Unfortunately, certain individuals are more vulnerable to abuse than others, including small children and people with special needs. One group of people who are particularly susceptible to different forms of abuse is elderly adults in nursing homes or similar assisted living facilities.
When an older adult pays to live in a nursing home, they and their families should be able to trust that they are in good hands. Sadly, this is not always the case, and the following forms of nursing home abuse affect over 2 million people [1] every year in the United States.
Physical abuse—Physical abuse against nursing home residents may include assaults and other rough contact that causes injury. Signs of such abuse include unexplained wounds or other injuries, fear of physical contact, and more.
Verbal abuse—Verbal abuse may involve threats, insults, or other language that makes a nursing home resident feel worthless or helpless. Such abuse can cause significant emotional trauma including depression, acting withdrawn from others, blaming themselves for everything, inability to trust others, and much more.
Financial abuse—This type of abuse involves a stranger, professional, caretaker, or even a family member wrongfully takes money from an elderly adult. This can involve fraudulent schemes, threats to receive money, or even blatantly stealing checks or cash out of their rooms. This type of abuse can often financially bankrupt a nursing home resident, causing complications for their housing arrangements and planned inheritances for their estate.
Neglect—Neglect occurs when nursing home staff or medical professionals fail to provide for a resident’s basic needs or necessary medical care. Neglect can cause poor hygiene, medication errors, unsanitary conditions and more. Common signs include bed sores, soiled or stained bedding or clothing, incorrect prescription counts, and more.
False Imprisonment—False imprisonment [2] involves a nursing home employee prohibiting a resident from leaving their room, a wing, or another area to which they do not need to be confined. False imprisonment may include leaving a resident without crutches or a wheelchair, threatening them if they leave the area, or even tying them to a bed or chair.
If you see signs of any type of nursing home abuse involving a loved one, they deserve to hold the abuser responsible for their losses. Call an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss a possible case today.
The Levin Firm
1500 John F. Kennedy, Blvd. Suite 620
Philadelphia, PA 19102
https://www.levininjuryfirm.com/philadelphia-nursing-home-abuse-lawyer/
[1] http://www.statisticbrain.com/elderly-abuse-statistics/
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_imprisonment
