When we entrust our elderly loved ones to a nursing home, we are putting our faith in the nursing home staff to take care of our older friends and relatives and give them the respect they deserve. Sadly, though, the elderly residences and their employees sometimes fail in their duties to their older residents and abuse and neglect our loved ones.
Nursing home abuse can come in several different forms, such as physical, mental, and financial mistreatment. Neglect is another form of mistreatment that consists of ignoring the residents instead of giving them extra, albeit negative, attention. It is important to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect because the elderly may not be able to vocalize or describe their mistreatment.
First, physical abuse can include anything from hitting, shoving, and kicking to things like inappropriate bodily or chemical restraints. Also, an awful form of physical abuse is the sexual mistreatment and exploitation of the elderly. Because elderly people are not usually healthy enough fight back and defend themselves, they can easily be pushed around and abused. Additionally, our bones and skin naturally become more brittle and breakable with age, which means that long-lasting injuries can become even more prevalent.
If you believe that a person you love is suffering from physical or sexual abuse, there are a few things that you can watch for. First, unexplainable broken bones, bruises, and lacerations can be signs of danger. Also, welts, broken glasses, and shabby clothing can be significant as well.
Next, elderly people can already be emotionally sensitive due to their loss of independence. Thus, nursing home workers may choose to exploit these sensitivities to further their own goals. They may decide to humiliate, tease, or harass their elderly charges if the residents struggle with taking care of themselves. This mental abuse can also come in the form of yelling, isolating, and giving the silent treatment towards the older people.
When older people are receiving emotional or mental abuse, they may withdraw into themselves to help protect their minds. Also, you may notice behavioral changes in those you love, as well as the appearance of dementia. This includes things such as rocking, sucking, and mumbling to oneself. Lastly, the person may seem confused.
With financial abuse, nursing home workers may use tactics above to compel an older person into giving them money, property, or financial assets. Also, employees might steal a resident's property and personal belongings that he or she keeps in the room. Additionally, identity theft is another risk of financial abuse.
Financial abuse may be harder to detect than other forms of abuse. You may notice changes in the person's financial state, such as large withdrawals taken from his or her accounts. Also, there may be alterations to the will or other legal documents.
Nursing homes should be trusted to take care of your elderly friends and family, not abuse them. However, abuse does happen, which can leave a person with permanent damage due to physical, emotional, and financial abuse. If you or someone you know has suffered from nursing home abuse, you should talk to a lawyer about your rights.
To find a nursing home abuse lawyer in your area, check out the Legal City Attorney Search Directory today.
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