Nursing Home Abuse Doesn’t Just Involve Physical Abuse

You place a loved one in a nursing home hoping that those responsible for their care will treat them with the respect they deserve. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Instances of nursing home abuse are statistically fairly common in the United States.

This doesn’t mean you should never consider trusting such a facility to care for a loved one who is unable to safely live on their own. However, it does mean you should monitor your loved one for signs of abuse or neglect if you place them in such a facility.

Keep in mind that nursing home abuse doesn’t merely involve physical abuse. It can take a variety of forms. If you’re familiar with what they are, you’ll be more likely to spot signs of abuse that you might otherwise overlook.

Forms of nursing home abuse and neglect that don’t involve direct physical harm include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:

Financial Abuse

Residents of nursing homes often struggle with cognitive challenges. This can allow a staff member to easily take advantage of them financially.

Examples include:

• Stealing cash, credit cards, checks, etc.
• Convincing a resident to offer money, perhaps by lying about the reason the money is needed
• Developing a close relationship with a resident in order to deceptively convince them to change their will or otherwise make financial decisions that benefit a staff member
• Preventing a resident from using their own money or accessing their bank account

If possible, before placing a loved one in a nursing home, ensure you’re able to monitor their finances. Investigate the matter further if you notice any unusual changes.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse occurs when a nursing home staff member verbally abuses a resident or otherwise mistreats them in a manner that can have damaging effects on their emotional and/or mental health. Examples of emotional abuse in nursing homes may include:

• Exerting unreasonable control over a resident’s activities
• Isolating a resident from others
• Calling residents names, yelling at them, etc.
• Threatening to harm a resident

A loved one who has been the victim of emotional abuse may become withdrawn or depressed for no observable reason. They might also appear to be fearful in the presence of certain nursing home staff members.

General Neglect or Abandonment

Someone who has been placed in a nursing home is typically someone who is unable to tend to their own daily needs. They likely require assistance from others to ensure they are fed, clothed, and otherwise provided for.

Elder abuse may occur in nursing homes when staff members simply neglect or ignore residents. While they might not physically abuse them, they don’t offer them the care they require. This can result in malnutrition and other such consequences.

Hopefully, your loved one will never be the victim of such abuse. However, if this has already happened, you can at least potentially help them secure financial compensation by filing a claim or lawsuit.

Speak with an attorney to learn more about your legal options. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, a Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyer may help you pursue fair compensation. Learn more by contacting our firm online or calling us at 267-587-6240.