Nursing Home Abuse
Lancaster Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
For some families, placing an aging parent in a nursing home is a difficult decision. Other aging adults make their own arrangements. When you place your trust in a nursing home to care for loved ones, it can be scary. Will they get the care they need? Is the nursing home staff going to treat them well? The National Center On Elder Abuse shares their data on nursing home abuse.
Sometimes, the trust in these care facilities is baseless. Inadequate staffing, poor maintenance, and lack of training can lead to injuries. We’ve seen situations of intentional malicious behavior to harm elderly residents. Elder abuse and neglect is nothing anyone deserves. A Lancaster nursing home abuse lawyer can help you.
Causes Of Nursing Home Abuse
Residents in elder care facilities aren’t as strong as they used to be. Many residents are unable to care for themselves. Sadly, there are people out there that prey on the vulnerable and defenseless. Other times, improper training can lead staff to lash out in abusive ways.
Related Articles:
Rise In Nursing Home Neglect In Pennsylvania
Neglect is another form of nursing home abuse. Typically, neglect happens because of insufficient staffing. But, poor training or lack of procedure can also cause gaps in care.
Elder Abuse
Many elder abuse victims don’t talk about their experience. They fear repercussions from the abuser. But, this enables the abuse to continue. Visit your loved ones regularly and know the signs of elder abuse.
Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse isn’t easy to spot. Knowing the warning signs will help you to help your loved one.
Depression – Abuse victims often become depressed.
Easily Agitated – Does the person get frustrated or angry for no reason?
Weight Loss – A loss of appetite can occur in elder abuse cases.
Anxiety – Described as intense, excessive, and persistent fear about everyday situations.
If you suspect your loved one is the recipient of abuse, talk to them. Don’t be surprised if they don’t want to talk about it. But, assure them that you care and want to help them.
Types Of Elder Abuse
Understanding the different types of elder abuse may help you figure out the source.
Physical Abuse
Victims of physical abuse are often those most vulnerable. People with disabilities or dementia are often targets of physical abuse. Signs of physical abuse include:
- unexplained injuries
- frequent bruises or scrapes
- torn, bloody, or missing clothing
- staff always present when family members visit
Sexual Abuse
We’ve seen a rise in sexual abuse in nursing homes. Staff or other residents may sexually abuse nursing home residents. Different types of sexual abuse in a nursing home can include:
- rape
- inappropriate touching
- forced nudity
- exposure to pornography
- unwanted sex acts
- coercion
- assault of a person that is unable to give consent
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is an attack on mental well-being. It can be in the form of insults, manipulation, and threats. This kind of abuse often leaves no physical evidence. Look for the signs of emotional abuse:
- mood swings
- withdrawal from activities
- lowered self-esteem
- anxiety
- depression
- confusion
- isolation
Financial Abuse
Taking money or property to defraud that individual is financial abuse. Track the finances of your older family members. Talking about money with your parents can be hard. They’ve lived their entire life without you involved in their finances. But, as they age, you should become more involved in their financial well-being.
Financial abuse can happen in many ways. In most situations, you won’t find out about it until it has happened. Here are the things you need to watch out for:
- cash or checks that are unaccounted for
- money is withdrawn without explanation
- forged signature
- missing personal property (jewelry or other valuables)
- changes in contracts or wills
- overcharging for services
- new investments
Older people may not recognize they are being taken advantage of. Often, a financial abuser will be a new “friend” or “business partner.” Sometimes, nursing staff or another resident may be responsible.
Neglect Or Abandonment
Nursing home neglect is often unreported and unnoticed. Nursing home neglect happens because nursing homes are understaffed. Poor training or lack of procedure can lead to nursing home neglect.
Abandoned residents may have a hard time communicating. Additionally, these residents might be unable to reach buttons to call for help. Signs of nursing home neglect or abandonment include:
- poor personal hygiene
- wearing dirty/damaged clothes
- malnutrition, unexplained weight loss
- lack of medical care
- dehydration
- pressure ulcers (bed sores)
- isolation
- vermin infestation
Self Neglect
Some nursing home residents are responsible for their care and well-being. Self-neglect occurs when an elderly person refuses to care for themselves. This can be one of the hardest abuses to uncover and fix. But, when nursing home staff ignore self-neglect they enable the abuse. Examples of self-neglect:
- malnutrition
- dehydration
- unsanitary or unsafe living space
- isolation
- hoarding (animals, possessions, or garbage)
- refusing to take medicine
- refusal of medical care
- weight loss
When To Call A Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you suspect you or your loved one are the subjects of nursing home abuse, call a lawyer. A local nursing home abuse lawyer can help you understand how the law applies to your situation.
Lancaster Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
At Haggerty & Silverman, we have been helping the elderly since 1994. Our compassionate team is here to answer any questions you have about nursing home abuse. Call or text us at 717-397-3200. Or, use our online form to schedule a free nursing home abuse consultation.
Haggerty & Silverman offers free consultations. We never charge you any fees unless we recover money for you. Our office is conveniently located in downtown Lancaster, PA. We offer free customer parking in our private parking lot.
Nursing Home Abuse FAQs