What are the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?

When one of your elderly loved ones is living in a nursing home or another type of care facility, you need to be aware of the types of mistreatment they may face. There are numerous kinds of abuse, all of which may have different signs and consequences. The signs of physical abuse may be far different than those of emotional abuse. However, some signs overlap, such as your loved one becoming more depressed, anxious, or socially withdrawn. Changes in your loved one’s typical demeanor may be a sign that someone is hurting them.

If you’re asking yourself, “what are the signs of nursing home abuse,” or if you notice any signs of mistreatment of your elderly relative, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer from Studinski Law, LLC immediately. An experienced lawyer will guide you through the best way to care for and protect your loved one from further harm. If there is evidence of abuse, we can discuss your loved one’s options for a legal claim against the perpetrator or the facility.

Call us today at (715) 343-2850 to schedule a consultation.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

• Physical abuse encompasses hitting, shoving, and kicking. However, it can also include medically unnecessary and harmful physical and chemical restraints, intentional malnutrition, and intentional dehydration.
• Sexual abuse is any type of non-consensual touching. Elderly individuals may be fondled over and under their clothes. They may be forced to perform oral sex or have such an act performed on them. Sexual abuse may also include an individual recording or taking inappropriate photos of your loved one without permission. Additionally, once an elderly person is deemed medically or legally incompetent, then there is never a question of consent.
• Psychological abuse can be subtle, yet pervasive. Emotional mistreatment may begin with instances that can be explained away, and then builds until it greatly affects your loved one’s well-being and reduces their quality of life.
• Financial abuse occurs when someone takes advantage of an elderly person for a monetary gain. In some situations, people use emotional manipulation to gain gifts, money, and more substantial property. Other times, people commit fraud in order obtain a financial gain.

Signs Your Elderly Loved One is Suffering from Nursing Home Abuse

Signs of Physical Abuse

• Inexplicable bruises and scratches
• Bruises that wrap around an elderly person’s arm or wrist
• Burn marks
• Restraint marks
• Patches of hair loss
• Broken bones or dislocations
• Sprained or strained muscles
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Skin conditions
• Bedsores
• Multiple injuries since moving into the facility
• Multiple injuries since the facility hired a new staff member
• Unreasonable or odd explanations for the injuries

If your loved one seems to fear, dislike, or become anxious around a particular nurse, nursing assistant, or other staff member, do not take it lightly. Your loved one may be afraid to say something. They could be offering you signals that something serious is going on.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

• Bruising around the breasts, genitals, or thighs
• Pain of the genitals or anus
• Vaginal or anal bleeding
• Torn, stained, or bloody undergarments
• Pelvic injuries
• Difficulty or pain when sitting or walking
• Sexual transmitted diseases
• Social or emotional withdrawal
• Anxiety and/or panic attacks
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Sexual abuse can also lead to your loved one exhibiting odd or inappropriate behavior. They may do or say something inappropriate that appears to be from a sexual role as part of a relationship between them and the perpetrator. They may also perform unusual, inappropriate, or sexually aggressive activities. If you notice a change in your loved one’s behavior and it appears to be sexual in nature, you should be concerned.

Additionally, if your loved one tells you they are being sexually abused, believe them. One of the barriers to detecting, stopping, and prosecuting sexual abuse of the elderly is that people often do not believe older victims because they suffer memory issues, may become easily confused, and may not show physical signs of the abuse.

Signs of Psychological Abuse

• Humiliating, ridiculing, demeaning, insulting, and blaming
• Menacing, harassing, and terrorizing
• Verbal or physical intimidation
• Ignoring an elderly resident’s need and requests
• Threats of violence
• Isolation
• Social withdrawal
• Unusual shyness
• Avoiding eye contract
• Low self-esteem
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Self-soothing behaviors
• Self-injurious behaviors
• Changes in eating and sleeping
• Mood swings

Emotional mistreatment is one of the most common types of elder abuse. Unfortunately, it is not visible or easy to detect. You need to keep a close eye on your loved one, note changes in their behavior or personality, and carefully consider what they say about nursing home staff and others with whom they regularly come into contact.

Signs of Financial Abuse

• Unexpectedly making gifts of personal property or money
• Unexpectedly signing over real restate deeds to others
• Unexpected changes to their will
• Unexpectedly giving someone power of attorney
• Unexpected withdrawals from bank and investment accounts
• Missing checks
• Lower credit score

Your loved one has the right to manage their finances until they become incompetent due to natural cognitive decline or a medical condition. However, once they are living in a nursing home, you or someone you both trust should keep a close eye on their finances. Your loved one suddenly writing a nurse checks should seem suspicious. Also, your loved one unexpectedly having legal documents in their room may be a sign that something suspicious is going on.

Do You Believe Your Loved One is Being Harmed at a Nursing Home?

If you have noticed multiple signs of nursing home abuse or you explicitly know it has occurred, it is time to call a lawyer. An attorney can explain your loved one’s rights and advise you on your best next steps, including obtaining your loved one necessary care, working with the facility to improve the situation or transfer your relative, contacting the state authorities, and possibly filing a civil claim.

When your loved one has suffered physical, psychological, or financial harm due to nursing home abuse, they may have the right to file a legal claim and seek compensation for their injuries. At Studinski Law, LLC, we are here to help you address this issue and help your elderly loved one obtained justice.

Call us at (715) 343-2850, or contact us online to schedule a consultation.