In nursing homes, elders deserve to be treated with as much care and respect as anyone in a long-term care facility. Unfortunately, there are too many instances where this is not the case. According to National Institute on Aging research, “hundreds of thousands of adults over 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited [per year].” Researchers have estimated that approximately 5 million elders are abused annually in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. This is particularly true for elders who are especially vulnerable due to disabilities such as Alzheimer's or dementia. Oftentimes, these elders are seen as “easy targets” for abusive behavior.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Preventing abuse can be as simple as recognizing the signs. Here are some of the most common signs that an elder is 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- Become depressed and withdrawn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 nursing home 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 to maintain 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