Types of Nursing Home Abuse

When someone becomes to old or sick to care for themselves, we often entrust them to a nursing home to provide care. While many nursing homes can be wonderful places for our elderly friends and relatives, others can actually provide a source of abuse for those we love. Sadly, abuse in elderly homes is far too common, and it can come in the form of physical, mental or emotional, and financial mistreatment.

Because people's body weakens naturally with age, it can be easy for a strong nursing home worker to overcome a resident and physically abuse him or her. Sometimes, an employee may become frustrated with a slow-moving resident and push the person around. Things like hitting, shoving, kicking, shaking, pinching, and burning all count as forms of physical abuse.

Also, there are some other forms of physical abuse that can be characteristic of a bad elderly residence. When workers use an inappropriate amount of chemical or physical restraints, this can count as mistreatment as well. Force-feeding a resident who needs help with eating is wrong, and forcing elderly residents to perform bodily tasks that are difficult for them is bad as well.

Sadly, sexual abuse is a form of physical abuse that is an awful but true occurrence as well. It can be difficult for elderly people to resist the advances of nursing home workers. Non-consensual sexual contact is abuse, and having sexual relations with a person who is unable to give consent is considered to be abuse as well. Sexual mistreatment can include rape, sodomy, improper touching, assault, nudity, and even forced sexual or nude photography.

Next, misconduct can also be mental or emotional. People who are forced to rely on others for the completion of physical needs may feel incompetent or embarrassed, and nursing home workers can exploit these feelings for their own benefit. When employees purposely humiliate residents, humiliate them, and harass them, this can cause long-lasting psychological damage. Also, verbally threatening elderly, isolating them, and treating them like children can be harmful as well. Lastly, the "silent treatment" can have a huge negative impact on a person's emotional well-being.

Lastly, caretakers can use threats like the ones above to bring about financial benefits for themselves. For example, they may force residents to give them money, financial assets, or property. This may include forging the older person's signature or stealing his or her belongings for the benefit of the workers themselves.

Older people deserve care and respect in nursing homes. Sometimes, though, abuse is present, and it can cause permanent physical, mental, and financial damage to a person. If you or someone you know has been exploited by a nursing home worker, you should speak to a lawyer about your rights.

For more information regarding nursing home abuse as well as other forms of personal injury law, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer at the firm of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., today.