
As your loved ones begin to age, you’ve likely considered the option of moving them into a nursing home so that they can receive much-needed care. However, nursing home abuse has become a point of concern for many considering this option. Considering that adult protective services receives over 21,000 calls in some states annually, it’s worth looking into the signs of an abusive nursing home so that you don’t put your loved one into a horrific situation.
There are a variety of different types of nursing home abuse that can occur, so learn what each type is along with the signs that it may be occurring so you can take preventative action.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
As mentioned, abuse in a nursing home can take many different shapes and forms. The five most common types, though, include:
1. Physical Abuse
This is the intentional use of force by staff to cause pain, injury, or impertinent to the residents. Any form of hitting, slapping, pushing, or even the improper use of restraints can qualify as physical abuse. Unexplained bruises, fractures, rope burns, hospital visits, and more are all warning signs of this type.
2. Emotional & Psychological Abuse
This form of abuse can be verbal or nonverbal actions that are done with the intent of causing distress or fear in residents. Insults, threats, forced isolation, and public humiliation are the most common representations of emotional and psychological abuse in nursing homes. Keep an eye out for withdrawal, depression, fear of caregivers, or any sudden behavioral changes by residents.
3. Neglect & Abandonment
One often overlooked and subtle form of abuse is neglect and abandonment of residents in nursing homes. Some facilities fail to provide basic needs to their residents, such as food, medical care, or hygiene tools and assistance. This can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, bedsores and more. Seeing weight loss, dirty clothing and bedding, or untreated medical conditions should always be red flags.
4. Financial Exploitation
As the mind begins to age, decision-making skills are impaired, which some caregivers wrongly take advantage of. Any unauthorized use of an elderly person’s funds is not only abuse but also illegal. Forget checks, unauthorized transactions, and sudden changes in financial status can all manifest as missing money, unpaid bills, and unexpected changes to wills.
5. Sexual Abuse
Finally, any non-consensual sexual contact with a using home resident such as unwanted touching, coercion, sexual assault, and more are forms of sexual abuse. Bruising in private areas, torn clothing, and a refusal to be touched can all be signs of this form of abuse.
Behavioral & Emotional Red Flags of Abuse
Beyond the direct signs above, there are some additional indicators of nursing home abuse that may indicate something is going on behind the scenes. Keep an eye out for any of the following:
- An unexplained fear or anxiety, particularly around specific staff members.
- Any sudden changes in personality, such as increased aggression or withdrawal.
- Frequent crying, depression, or a loss of interest in normally enjoyed activities.
- A hesitation to speak freely in the presence of certain caregivers.
- Common signs of stress such as rocking back and forth or avoiding eye contact.
While the above signs can all have different causes, they should still all cause you to question things further to get to the bottom of the issue.
Environmental & Institutional Warning Signs of Abuse
In addition to the above signs of abuse that would be noticeable on a loved one, there are also some environmental and institutional warning signs to keep in mind. Unsanitary conditions such as dirty rooms, bad odors, and general poor hygiene among residents should all cause your eyebrows to rise.
Additionally, long wait times for assistance and overwhelmed staff are not positives. This, coupled with multiple complaints from residents and a lack of transparency with visitors, can indicate an institutional problem that needs to be addressed.
Protect your loved ones in nursing homes
By identifying nursing home abuse early on through the key indicators above, you can take action quicker to end the suffering of your loved ones. Speak with any family you have in nursing homes and ask them clear questions to get to the bottom of the issue. Stay vigilant and always visit your loved one’s frequently to assess the condition of the nursing home, your loved one’s condition, and the demeanors and responsiveness of the staff on hand. If you suspect that your loved one is being abused in their nursing home, seek our legal and protective measures to rectify the situation.