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Frequently Asked Questions on Nursing Home Abuse
1. What are the causes of nursing home neglect and abuse?
2. What are the different types of nursing home neglect and abuse?
3. What are some signs that indicate nursing home neglect or abuse could be occurring?
4. How prevalent is nursing home neglect and abuse?
5. If I suspect nursing home neglect or abuse what can I do?
1. What are the causes of nursing home neglect and abuse?
Many instances of nursing home neglect and abuse have been attributed to under qualified and inexperienced staff. Staff that is unable to handle different nursing home situations may take out their frustrations on nursing home residents. Allowing instances of nursing home neglect and abuse to continue going unreported only allows the abuse to continue.
2. What are the different types of nursing home neglect and abuse?
There are different forms of nursing home neglect and abuse that can affect nursing home residents. Mental abuse, physical abuse, nursing home neglect, and exploitation/financial abuse can occur and is often characterized by certain signs.
- fear, agitation, hesitancy, depression, withdrawal, sudden behavior changes, unusual behavior patterns, unwillingness to communicate, disorientation, confusion, unjustified isolation, rude, humiliating, derogatory comments by staff, specific complaints by resident
- wounds, cuts, abrasions, burns, bruises, welts, swelling, broken bones, sudden, inexplicable weight loss, unexplained/hidden injuries, unwarranted restraints (either physical or chemical), specific complaints by residents
- bed sores (decubitus ulcers), unsanitary environment, malnutrition, dehydration, smells of urine and/or feces, unkempt appearance, poor personal hygiene, untreated medical condition, specific complaints by residents
- sudden, unjustified selling of property, missing/stolen money or property, radical changes in handling personal/financial affairs, specific complaints by residents
3. What are some signs that indicate nursing home neglect or abuse could be occurring?
Any of the following signs could warrant further investigation:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, sprains, or fractures in various stages of healing
- Bedsores or frozen joints
- Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections; vaginal or anal bleeding; torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Staff refusing to allow visitors to see resident or delays in allowing visitors to see resident
- Staff not allowing resident to be alone with visitor
- Resident being kept in an over-medicated state
- Loss of resident's possessions
- Sudden large withdrawals from bank accounts or changes in banking practices
- Abrupt changes in will or other financial documents
4. How prevalent is nursing home neglect?
1.6 million Americans reside in over 16,000 nursing homes across this country. A 1998 study conducted by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) concluded that more than half of the suspicious deaths studied in nursing homes were probably due to nursing home neglect, including malnutrition and dehydration. Unreported instances of abuse must also be taken under consideration when evaluating this statistic.
5. If I suspect nursing home neglect or abuse what can I do?
Unfortunately, deaths and serious injuries have resulted from nursing home neglect and abuse. If nursing home neglect is suspected the problem should be immediately brought to the nursing home’s attention. The nursing home should act promptly and if the problem does not subside government assistance is available. Contacting your state attorney general’s office to report nursing home neglect and abuse is an option, as well as obtaining private attorneys. Contact us for more information.
If you have any questions regarding safety concerns and nursing home prevention, click on a state or select from below to contact an Elderly Abuse Lawyer: