How to Spot Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing homes are legally obligated to provide for residents’ mental, physical, and psychosocial well-being. This is what we expect when we leave our loved ones to the care of nursing home employees. Sadly, there is no guarantee that the staff will properly care for our loved ones. If you suspect that staff members are abusing your loved in a nursing home, here are steps you can take to find out for sure.

SPOTTING THE SIGNS OF NEGLECT IN NURSING HOMES

Neglect is one of the most common and harmful forms of elder abuse, often causing severe physical and emotional damage. Neglect may include poor personal hygiene, lack of medical care, or social isolation imposed by the staff. Warning signs of neglect often appear in a resident’s appearance or behavior, such as soiled clothes, unclean living conditions, or social withdrawal.

If you notice your loved one’s clothes are frequently dirty, or their room has spills or trash left unattended, these may be signs of neglect. Nursing homes are responsible for meeting residents’ basic needs, and failure to do so can quickly become a potentially dangerous situation.

WATCH FOR FINANCIAL ABUSE

Financial abuse can occur in nursing homes when staff members manipulate or coerce residents into handing over money or control of their finances. Nursing home residents may experience financial abuse if staff members pressure them to change bank accounts or if family members notice unexplained withdrawals or changes in their loved one’s financial statements.

Some residents may be more vulnerable to financial abuse, particularly those with memory impairments or diseases like Alzheimer’s. If your loved one is experiencing financial exploitation, consult with a nursing home abuse attorney and take action quickly to protect them.

DETECTING EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE

Emotional abuse in nursing homes can be subtle, making it challenging to identify. Typical forms of emotional abuse include verbal aggression, threats, and isolating residents from social activities or their families. Family members who suspect emotional abuse should pay close attention to their loved one’s mood and behaviors.

It may be a red flag if your loved one seems afraid of particular staff members, is verbally aggressive, or withdraws from normal behavior. Emotional abuse can also lead to feelings of shame, guilt, or depression. Checking in regularly and talking openly with your loved one can help you spot any sudden changes and address possible abuse.

REPORTING ABUSE TO ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

If you suspect abuse, your first step is to report it to Adult Protective Services (APS) or local law enforcement. APS investigates reports of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and can step in to help protect vulnerable adults from harm. When reporting to APS, provide specific details about your concerns, including any visible injuries or changes in your loved one’s behavior. Reporting abuse promptly can stop ongoing mistreatment and potentially save other nursing home residents from suffering similar harm.

TAKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST ABUSIVE CARE FACILITIES

When you suspect that a loved one has experienced abuse in a nursing home, legal action can help hold the facility accountable. Seeking justice for elder abuse through a nursing home abuse lawsuit can lead to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

In nursing home negligence cases, a lawyer can investigate incidents involving physical harm, medical neglect, or healthcare fraud. By holding the facility legally responsible, families may prevent other residents from experiencing abuse and neglect in the future. Consulting with an experienced elder abuse attorney ensures you take the necessary steps to protect your loved one’s well-being and pursue justice.

CHECK FOR BRUISING

When you visit your loved one, check his or her body for signs of physical abuse. The elderly can bruise easily, so not all bruising points to abuse. However, if you see wrap-around bruising, especially on your loved one’s arms, it’s a red flag for rough physical treatment. Look for unexplained bruising or bruises in covered areas such as the torso. Sometimes, if an employee is abusing a resident, the employee will hit them where he or she believes no one will see the marks.

ASK ABOUT UNEXPLAINED INJURIES

If your loved one has to take frequent unexplained trips to the hospital or has broken bones from a fall or other incident, it may be a sign of abuse. Bedsores are preventable with proper care and attention. If a resident suffers from bedsores, malnutrition, or other unexplained injuries, the nursing home may be neglecting its residents.

Pay attention to your loved one’s health to look for malnutrition. It may be malnutrition if he or she appears weaker than usual, with pale or severely wrinkled skin and flaky lips.

DETECT SEXUAL ABUSE

Sexual abuse and harassment are the most horrific forms of nursing home abuse. It can leave the victim feeling ashamed, confused, physically injured, withdrawn, and more. A nursing home employee can take advantage of mentally unwell residents, such as those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The resident may be out of his or her right mind and no one will believe the claims of sexual abuse.

Signs of sexual abuse include:

• Abrupt changes in behavior, such as depression or anxiety
• Fear of being touched
• Difficulty sitting or walking
• Bruising on the inner thighs
• Bloodied underwear

If you think your loved one is being sexually abused in a nursing home, don’t hesitate to report it to the authorities for a proper investigation.

KNOW YOUR LOVED ONE’S BEHAVIORS

There are other forms of abuse besides physical abuse. Detecting mental or psychological abuse can be difficult because it doesn’t leave behind any physical signs. The best way to detect mental abuse is to visit your loved one often and know their normal behavioral patterns. Any sudden changes, such as withdrawal from favorite social activities, can point to underlying abuse.

If your loved one is less talkative, appears depressed, expresses feelings of guilt or shame, etc., an employee may be mentally abusing him or her. Talk with your loved one and listen to the claims he or she makes. Don’t write off reports of abuse as hallucinations due to dementia. Take the time to investigate the situation and be sure it isn’t taking place.

SCOPE OUT THE NURSING HOME

Often, you can see telltale signs of nursing home abuse by scoping out the facility. If the building appears unsanitary (for instance, if the staff leaves spills on the floors for long periods), it may be a sign of neglect, leading to slip and fall accidents. Look for residents with unexplained injuries, fall victims left without immediate aid, bedsores, or widespread malnutrition.

HIRE A PHILADELPHIA NURSING HOME ABUSE LAWYER

Report any suspicious activity or signs of abuse to the police, and then hire a lawyer. At Hill & Associates, our Philadelphia nursing home abuse attorneys are compassionate about protecting the rights of those who can’t defend themselves. Contact us today for a free consultation.