The United States has about 1.55 million seniors living with dementia in nursing homes across the U.S. These individuals have the right to a safe, healthy, and well-being environment. Still, they are considered very vulnerable because mental or physical impairments can cause them an increased risk of being disabled. In nursing homes, abuse happens in several different ways. Nursing home abuse can be a hazardous situation if not cured early enough. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) identified seven abuse and neglect in nursing homes. There are five common types of abuse in nursing homes, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA): physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.
Additional types of nursing home abuse include self-neglect and abandonment.
Physical Abuse
Physical nursing home abuse occurs when a resident suffers bodily harm or injuries. Over 9% of nursing home staff members admitted to physically abusing residents in a 2020 study by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Examples of physical abuse in a nursing home include:
- Being punched or kicked;
- Being restrained with straps or ties;
- Getting pushed or shoved;
Common signs of physical abuse among residents include broken bones, bruises, and bleeding. Physical abuse can be committed against any resident, but those with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease may be at higher risk. Physical nursing home violence is caused primarily by residents suffering from a medical conditions. Approximately 5% of nursing homes have admitted the abuse. Examples of physical abuse in nursing homes include: Some signs of physical abuse include cracked bone, bruises, and bleeding. Physical abuse against residents is common, but some are more susceptible to cognitive disorders. Sadly, the physical abuse of an elder could be fatal
Physical abuse can lead to severe injuries or death with exacting open medical attention. Thankfully, financial aid may be available to pay for medical bills and emotional suffering if you or a loved one suffered physical nursing home abuse.
For example, an older nursing home resident who was beaten and suffered neglect received $175,000 by working with a skilled law firm.
Mistreatment
Physical nursing home abuse involves resident injuries. In a 2020 WHO report, over 9% of nursing home employees acknowledged assaulting residents (WHO). Nursing home abuse includes:
- Beatings
- Strapped or tied
- Being shoved
- Broken bones, bruising, and blood is indicators of maltreatment. Any resident can be abused physically, but those with Alzheimer’s are more dangerous.
Physical elder abuse can cause severe injury or death without medical intervention. Financial aid may be available if you or a loved one suffers physical nursing home abuse.
Types of Elder Abuse
When an abuser has attacked someone, it can be devastating to see their loved one hurt. It is essential to take elder abuse seriously as it is a serious matter that must get resolved immediately. The Elderly abuse Case can be filed to seek legal help for your pain and suffering. Nursing home compensation can help – In addition to the legal process, the defendant may seek compensation from their abusers. If someone is neglected, you should seek compensation for the harm.
Most Common Complaints in a Nursing Home
Even the best nursing homes deal with unhappy residents and family members. The common complaints include:
- A lack of urgency in responding to calls;
- Food of poor quality;
- staff shortages;
- A lack of social contact;
- Constant awakenings during the night.
Sexual Elder Abuse
Typically older adults have been sexually assaulted by the use of force. It also relates to sexual contact with elders with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive problems. Older adults may suffer sexual abuse by anyone, including nursing home staff, residents, caregivers, friends, and families. Our services include assisting a loved one who has been neglected in an elderly facility. Contact JustPoint for a free estimate. Financial compensation is offered.
Elder Neglect
Elder neglect can result if caregivers do not protect their elderly loved ones from harm. It is not an accident that older adults have experienced in nursing homes. Instead, it is caused by carelessness or lack of regard for the health of elderly patients. Several signs indicate that elder neglect may cause health problems, including bedsores or death—unfortunately, neglected hazards are difficult to sue with staff in assisted living.
Elder Abandonment
Combined with neglect, elder abandonment can occur when a loved one deliberately deserts him or herself. During this period, the former caretaker can take an older person to a hospital without formal agreements or if they have family members that refuse to be caretakers. Depending on the situation, elder abandonment is often associated with confusion and loss and could cause serious health issues and death.
Elder Self-Neglect
It is common for the elderly to suffer from a lack of ability to pay for everyday necessities, reflected in their behavior. Many older people struggle with losing autonomy or admitting their lack of self-care. However, when an older person is cared for and is living in the care of someone else, then self-reflection cannot occur. Sometimes caregivers may commit neglect.
Financial elder abuse
Senior financial abuse refers to unauthorized or improper use and possession by elderly individuals of personal property. Several people have been convicted of financial and medical abuse against older adults. A recent study finds financial abuses among older people costing them about $2.9 billion every decade. Typically this type of abuse happens in self-reported circumstances.
Financial Abuse
Nursing homes are rife with elder financial abuse. Nursing home financial abuse in elders occurs when someone steals from an older person or uses manipulation to get money from them.
Examples of financial abuse include:
- Misusing power of attorney to change a resident’s will
- Preventing the resident from accessing their account
- Stealing a resident’s cash, credit cards, or valuables
- Stealing a resident’s financial records or bank statements
Financial abuse can be very stressful for residents, as they can lose income and savings needed to pay for their long-term care.
Sexual Abuse
The abuse can occur when an individual encounters sexual contact with other people or touches or gets groped by someone. Sexual elder abuse is sometimes linked to emotional or psychological injury. Unfortunately, abuse of the elderly is common among those who can not provide consent. A woman nursing home worker said she was sexually assaulted before screaming at him and running in recent cases. She was arrested. A resident was neglected for lack of sleep and pneumonia.
Nursing Home Neglect
Nursing homes are often neglectful because their staff is not providing medical treatment. Consequently, residents’ physical or emotional well-being suffers. Neglect is not acceptable behavior in nursing homes. Abuse is a deliberate act of harm done in nursing homes. Nursing home neglect can occur as follows:
Other Issues
The neglect in nursing homes can also be horrendous. Several women developed bedsores after neglecting their mothers and had to hide in their feces due to their negligence. She told her family she had never been fed within 1-2 days or had not needed any medications at the hospital. In the case, the woman received an estimated $457,000.
Please speak to us now to get the compensation you deserve.
Financial Elder Abuse
Senior financial abuse refers to unauthorized or improper use and possession by elderly individuals of personal property. Several people have been convicted of financial abuse in nursing homes and medical abuse against older adults. A recent study finds financial abuses among older people costing them about $2.9 billion every decade. Typically this type of abuse happens in self-reported circumstances.
Next Steps for Those Harmed by Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing homes, in general,l are inhumane. There are good ways to help if an older adult you loved was injured in the facility you’re living in. We have an experienced advocate team to help you determine the next step in your case when abused and neglected. Start your free case review today!
What should I do if I suspect elder abuse?
Elder abuse is common in any community: family or a stranger. Hence, the best option you can make is to monitor the person’s well-being when a parent is concerned about elder abuse. Often, when older adults cannot care for themselves, they are surrounded by people who can. An older adult may require assistance with assisting with personal hygiene, housekeeping, running errands, and handling money.
An older adult’s network may include family members, nurses, and home health aides when aging in place. Nurses, doctors, and other caregivers are likely to be present in the nursing home where a senior stays. In a world where there are so many people, it’s crucial to be able to recognize and respond to elder abuse.
Who commits nursing home abuse?
Several individuals may have been involved in nursing home abuse. The common culprits include nurses, administrators, others in the home, and relatives.
Home Health Aides
Some home carers abuse or exploit the elderly they are responsible for. Assisting at the individual’s home is not an excuse for elder abuse. An in-home caregiver must be trustworthy and provide adequate care without financial or physical abuse.
Close Friends and Relatives
Members of the family can also cause elder or nursing home abuse. Some of the most common violations of the elderly are family members and nursing facility workers. If someone close to you needs care and help, you must take steps to verify that no one is exploiting or mistreating them.
Other Nursing Home Residents
Occasionally other people have committed nursing home violence. When a nursing home employee fails to protect residents from harm, it could also be blamed on them. Tell me the truth? Staff at a facility in Florida uncovered the sexual assault of three residents but did not act on their behalf even though several incidents occurred. The state had halted the building until the removal of the convicted criminals. Find out how you can obtain financial aid in nursing home abuse.
Nursing Home Administrators
Admins of a long-term care facility determine the standards for care provided. Unfortunately, managers can get greedy and profit from senior care if they hire poor people, understaffed nursing homes, or don’t provide safety measures. Administrative personnel may abuse the residents emotionally or verbally. The problem occurs when a person delays the response or withholds information about the problem or concern.
Family Members
Family and friends who travel from care homes may have been victimized by abuse. Nursing homes have the responsibility to protect residents against abused persons and exploitation. Staff members must observe any relationships between relatives and detect suspicious behavior. Nursing homes have the right to treat residents’ complaints very seriously.
Nursing home staff
Staff could abuse a resident in anger. The nursing facility might also be understaffed if it does not properly train and provide primary healthcare to the residents. It is not possible to excuse the actions of nursing house employees. Employees who abuse or neglect older people deserve punishment.
Conclusion
Various forms of nursing home abuse occur across the United States, with multiple variations. It might be upsetting when professionals sworn to provide the most excellent medical care to the elderly are cruel to them. Suppose you or a loved one has been a victim of elder abuse. Call JustPoint right now. Let’s help you collect the compensation you deserve for the elder abuse you suffered at the hands of a caretaker.
