Is My Parent Suffering from Nursing Home Abuse?
While most people accept that physical mistreatment of our loved ones by the nursing home staff constitutes abuse, there are far more types of elder abuse that can cause harm. Whether its emotional, psychological, financial, physical, or sexual abuse, it’s important to know what to look for in order to determine if your elderly parent or relative is suffering from nursing home abuse.
Neglect
Anytime the needs of a resident are not being met, be it bathroom duties, malnourishment, or other general welfare, that is considered neglect. Whether it is soiled clothes, poor hygiene, or malnutrition, these issues, however minor, could lead to serious damages to your loved one’s health.
Signs of neglect to look for include visible malnourishment, soiled clothing/bedding and foul odors, lesions or rashes on the skin, safety hazards you may see in the room and signs of dehydration.
Psychological or Emotional Abuse
While not showing any physical scars, psychological and emotional abuse can be just as harmful to your loved ones. Nursing home residents may be tormented either verbally or non-verbally, i.e. giving the resident the “silent treatment.”
Signs of psychological or emotional abuse to look for are the resident being depressed, full of rage, acting bewildered or withdrawn frequently, or your loved one describing physical or sexual threats, harassment or bullying from an employee of the nursing home.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse occurs when an individual in charge or your loved one’s finances exploits their position to their gain.
Signs of financial abuse are late bill payments, lower than expected bank account balance, or seeing unusual activity on your loved one’s accounts.
Physical and Sexual Abuse
Physicial abuse is the most obvious abuse to document. Look for signs of bruising, swelling, or marks on your loved one’s body.
Sexual abuse, however is much harder to notice and usually happens to the most vulnerable of nursing home residents like those suffering from Alzheimer’s or other mental disorders.
If you suspect that your loved one has been the subject of nursing home abuse, please contact our office to fully understand your loved one’s rights.
