When we place our elderly loved ones in the care of a nursing home, we trust that they are in good hands and staff members will work hard to ensure their physical and social well-being. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, as many residents suffer different forms of abuse or neglect that cause injury or seriously reduce their quality of life. The Cincinnati nursing home abuse attorneys at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy want your loved one to be safe in his or her nursing home. We are experienced at identifying nursing home abuse and helping families advocate for their loved one’s rights. If you believe your loved one is facing abuse, there are several things you need to know so you can spot it and put a stop to it.
Types Of Abuse
There are several different types of abuse that can occur in a nursing home, including the following:Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves physical violence or force against a nursing home patient. Physical abuse involves hitting, kicking, biting, pinching or pushing an elderly individual. It can also involve the improper use of restraints or medication to restrict the movement of a resident. Physical abuse can result in injury, bodily harm or pain.Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves any sexual contact with a nursing home resident that is unwanted. Some nursing home residents have disabilities or lack mental capacity to consent and these are often the ones taken advantage of by staff members, visitors or other residents.Psychological Abuse
Psychological abuse involves verbal attacks, social isolation or humiliation of a nursing home resident. It may involve yelling, criticizing or shaming the resident.Financial Abuse
Financial abuse involves stealing from a nursing home resident or making changes to a resident’s financial plan through fraud or exploitation. Financial abuse can involve a variety of wrongful actions, such as:- Stealing property
- Forging signatures on the patient’s checks
- Withdrawing money from the elderly person’s bank account without permission
- Stealing the patient’s identity and applying for credit in his or her name
- Coercing the elderly person to change his or her estate plan
Signs And Symptoms To Look Out For
Every case of nursing home abuse is different, but there are certain signs and symptoms your loved one may show that could be attributed to abuse or neglect, such as:- Unexplained injuries like fractures, bruises, cuts or welts
- The presence of bedsores
- Malnourishment or dehydration
- Refusal to eat or take medication
- Unexplained weight loss
- Reports of inappropriate conduct or contact
- Decline in physical appearance or lack of cleanliness
- Fear when around certain nursing home staff members
- Child-like behavior such as bed wetting or rocking back and forth
- Isolation
- Changes in behavior
- Lack of excitement about doing his or her favorite leisure activities
- Emotional outbursts
- Mood swings
- Caregiver refusing to allow family to visit or be left alone with patient
