Understand the Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing homes are meant to be a safe haven for our loved ones as they enter their elderly years. Nursing homes have a duty to provide residents with compassionate care and services to ensure comfort and well-being. However, nursing home abuse is occurring at an alarming rate. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 1 in 6 adults aged 60+ have suffered from abuse in a community setting between 2017 and 2018. This statistic is egregious and those inflicting abuse should be held accountable.

What is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse is the mistreatment of elderly adults in assisted living facilities. All types of nursing home abuse can cause trauma, anxiety, and a lower quality of life. Unfortunately, abusers often go after vulnerable individuals, which puts nursing home residents at risk. The family members of adults living in assisted living facilities should understand the types of abuse that could happen and what signs to look for.
If you or a loved one has suffered abuse at a nursing home or assisted living facility, you should contact a legal representative as you may be entitled to financial compensation. 

Contact Steve Watrel, P.A., today for a free consultation

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Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes
Physical abuse in nursing homes occurs when a resident experiences physical pain, injury, or impairment due to maltreatment. Physical abuse in nursing homes is one of the most common forms of abuse, and it can also be the most dangerous due to the fragility of some elderly individuals. In severe cases, physical abuse can lead to bumps, bruises, broken bones, severe injury, and even death. 

Warning signs:

• Unexplainable bruises
• Sprains, broken bones, or other injuries
• Hair or tooth loss
• Withdrawal from usual social activity
• Failure of the caretaker to explain how the elder was injured

If a loved one has suffered from physical nursing home abuse, they or you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact Steve Watrel, P.A., today for a free consultation. There is no obligation.

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Emotional Nursing Home Abuse
Emotional nursing home abuse is the hardest to track of all the different types of nursing home abuse. Because of this, it often goes unreported. Emotional abuse can be verbal or nonverbal. Verbal abuse can include yelling, threatening, ridiculing, or acting callously toward a resident. Nonverbal abuse can consist of isolation, ignoring, restricting access to food, water, or bathroom, and terrorizing or pretending to cause harm to the resident. 

Warning Signs:

• Appearing depressed or withdrawn
• Appearing shyer than usual
• Rocking back and forth
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Lack of eye contact
• Isolation from friends and family

If a loved one has suffered from emotional nursing home abuse, they or you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact Steve Watrel, P.A., today for a free consultation. There is no obligation. 

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Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes
Sexual abuse in nursing homes can be inflicted by nursing home employees, other home residents, or strangers. Sexual abuse in nursing homes is any unwanted touch done in a sexual manner. Residents with memory problems are at particular risk of this form of abuse because they often do not remember the act or abuser, so it is more likely to go unreported. 

Warning Signs: 

• Trouble walking or sitting
• developing a sexually transmitted disease
• panic attacks
• social or emotional withdrawal from others
• sustaining a pelvic injury

If a loved one has suffered from sexual abuse at a nursing home, they or you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact Steve Watrel, P.A., today for a free consultation. There is no obligation.

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Financial Abuse in Nursing Homes
Financial abuse in nursing homes occurs when a resident’s money or personal belongings are taken by their caregiver without permission. It could include forging checks, taking retirement income, and using the residents’ bank cards without permission. There can also be further reaching forms of financial abuse like changing names on bank accounts, wills, and insurance policies. 

Warning Signs:

• Forgeries on legal documents or checks
• Unexplained money withdrawals
• Missing belongings or property

If a loved one has suffered from financial nursing home abuse, they or you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Contact Steve Watrel, P.A., today for a free consultation. There is no obligation.

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Neglect in Nursing Homes
Neglect in nursing homes occurs when there is a failure to provide residents with the care and services necessary for their well-being. This abuse could result in malnutrition, dehydration, bed sores, and even death.

Warning Signs:

• Poor hygiene
• Loss or lack of mobility
• New anxiety or depression
• Signs of inadequate nutrition
• Unsanitary living conditions

If a loved one has suffered from neglect at a nursing home, they or you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact Steve Watrel, P.A., today for a free consultation. There is no obligation.

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How to Report Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is a despicable crime that can cause serious harm to vulnerable adults living in an assisted living facility. There are several steps loved ones can take if they suspect a family member is suffering from nursing home abuse.

• Call local police and file a report
• Connect with the nursing home ombudsman (representative for the residents)
• Contact adult protective services (APS)
• Call a nursing home abuse hotline 

If you believe a loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse, the best thing you can do is report the mistreatment as soon as possible. Doing so can help protect your loved one and prevent future abuse.

Get Justice for Your Loved One
Nursing homes have a duty to protect and care for their residents. If the facility fails to do this, it must be held accountable. If your loved one has experienced any type of nursing home abuse, they may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, mental health treatment, physical therapy, moving costs, and justice for pain and suffering. 

Steve Watrel is Jacksonville’s premiere nursing home abuse attorney. For over 30 years, he has been fighting for justice for sufferers of nursing home abuse and providing victims and family members with compassionate care. You may be entitled to monetary compensation if you or a loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse. Contact Steve Watrel, P.A., today for a free consultation. There is no obligation.