Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

In nursing homes, elders deserve to be treated with as much care and respect as any other person in a long-term care facility. Unfortunately, there are too many instances where this is not the case. According to research from the National Institute on Aging, “hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited [per year].”

Researchers have estimated that every year, approximately 5 million elders are abused in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. This is particularly true for elders who are made especially vulnerable by disabilities, Alzheimer’s, or dementia. Often times, these elders are seen as “easy targets” for abusive behavior.

Signs of Elder Abuse

Often times, preventing abuse can be as simple as recognizing the signs. Here are some of the most common signs that an elder is being abused in a nursing home or other long-term care facility. An elder may be experiencing abuse if they:

• Have unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or scars
• Develop bedsores or other preventable conditions
• Have poor hygiene, like unwashed hair or dirty clothing
• Become depressed and withdrawn
• Have unexplained weight loss
• Are afraid to speak in front of an attendant
• Exhibit signs of trauma, such as rocking back and forth
• Become violent or agitated easily
• Stop participating in activities they once enjoyed

Types of Elder Abuse 

There are several different types of abuse that elders can be subject to, including:

• Physical abuse – a caregiver striking, hitting, pushing, slapping, or otherwise causing bodily harm
• Emotional or verbal abuse – a caregiver yelling, threatening, repeatedly ignoring, or otherwise harming psychological health
• Medical neglect or abandonment – a caregiver failing to provide the proper level of care needed in maintaining a patient’s health
• Sexual abuse – a caregiver forcing or manipulating a patient to participate in unwanted sexual acts
• Financial abuse – a caregiver stealing from or taking financial advantage of a patient
• Healthcare Fraud – a caregiver falsifying medical claims or charging for care that was not provided

Contact a New York Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer 

If your loved one has been the victim of abuse within a nursing home or other long-term care facility, you are undoubtedly going through an emotionally difficult and confusing time. You trust these care facilities to provide your loved one with the care and respect they deserve. However, once that trust has been broken, it can be difficult to understand how to move forward.

At Hach & Rose, LLP, our experienced team of nursing home negligence attorneys will support you and guide you through the legal process in obtaining justice on behalf of your loved one.