Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is the broadest type of nursing home abuse. It typically occurs when staff or other residents physically harm the patient by doing one or more of the following:
- Using unreasonable force to restrain the patient while changing their diaper or clothes;
- Striking or pinching a patient to get them to comply with a demand;
- Pushing a patient down in retaliation for their failure to follow directions;
- Dropping a patient on the ground;
- Another resident or patient physically attacking a resident;
- Intentionally giving a patient too many sedatives to restrain them.
Learn more about physical elder abuse in nursing homes.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is one of the most egregious types of nursing home abuse. It is often perpetuated by staff and other residents. It is an increasing problem in nursing homes and may occur under different scenarios. The most common sexual abuse involves the following:
- a nursing home patient is raped
- touched against their will; or
- forced to perform sexual acts against their will.
And of course, many nursing home patients suffer from memory issues or because they are under the influence of significant altering medication. This renders them legally incompetent and unable to consent to engage in sexual conduct with other residents or staff. (And practically speaking, ALL nursing homes should have a policy preventing employees from engaging in sexual relations with patients).
In such cases, it does not matter that the patient allegedly consented to the engagement. They are not legally able to provide the necessary consent. Have more questions? Learn more about sexual abuse in nursing homes or contact this office for a free and confidential case evaluation.
Verbal and Emotional Abuse
Verbal and emotional abuse are types of nursing home abuse that can be difficult to detect. They may occur in the form of belittling the patient.
Staff may yell at the patient in front of others in a way that is demanding or hurtful. It may also occur where staff forces the patient to do things that are demeaning and humiliating.
The verbal abuse may also be aimed at intentionally distressing the patient and causing them emotional harm. This can take the form of threatening to take cherished items away from the patient, refusing to give them help or medication or threatening to prohibit them from contacting their friends or family.
Verbal and emotional abuse in nursing homes is serious. It can have significant and harmful effects on nursing home patients that are often elderly and suffering from other physical and mental health problems.
Financial Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing homes, doctors, and other medical professionals may take advantage of nursing home residents by providing them with unnecessary medical care for the sole purpose of making money. Sometimes, they may indicate procedures or tests were performed that were not completed to charge additional money to the resident. This may involve double billing; charging for unnecessary services, and Medicaid or Medicare fraud.
Get Help for Nursing Home Abuse
If you or a loved one have been the victim of nursing home abuse and you need help determining what to do, please contact this office for a free and confidential evaluation of your situation and options that may be available to you. This evaluation can include a free medical records review.