Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes
There are several kinds of abuse that occur in nursing homes, including abandonment, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and sexual abuse. As of 1998, the American Psychological Association estimates that "2.1 million older Americans are victims of physical, psychological, or other forms of abuse and neglect" each year. (See Reference 1 below.) Also, for every case reported, an estimated five are not. The effects of abuse can be devastating, so complaints and reports of abusive behavior should be reported.
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Abandonment
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The elderly should be attended to regularly. Though staffing shortages have had an effect on health care and have impacted nursing homes, elderly residents should not be left alone for long periods of time. Those who are may be suffering from abandonment. This is particularly true if individuals are denied or are unable to access necessities like food, clothing, water or shelter. (See References 2 below.) Failure to provide nursing home residents with proper medical care is another example of abandonment. Tips for preventing or stopping abandonment include the following: (See Reference 2 below.)
Pay attention to the phone calls and mail of a nursing home resident, both of which should be kept private.
Check in often to ensure that a nursing home resident is not being kept from visiting with family members and friends.
Talk with a nursing home resident. Ask in particular about outings like shopping trips, doctor's appointments or visits to a park. Are residents in need of assistance left unattended in public?
Physical Abuse
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Signs of physical abuse of nursing home residents are usually obvious---bruises, cuts, burns---but may be more subtle. Examples include torn clothing, broken eyeglasses or a caregiver who insists on supervising an elderly person's visits with loved ones. (See References 2 and 3 below.) Other signs of physical abuse include the improper use of restraints and drugs to incapacitate or confine an elderly person. (See References 2 and 3 below.) Ask an elderly person about any wounds or changes in behavior. File a report if there is any doubt about the quality of care an elderly person is receiving in a nursing home.
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Emotional Abuse
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Emotional abuse is often less apparent than physical abuse, but is still damaging to an elderly person. According to an article co-authored by Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., author of The Language of Emotional Intelligence, "In emotional or psychological senior abuse, people speak to or treat elderly persons in ways that cause emotional pain or distress." (See Reference 3 below.) Examples of this include yelling at or threatening an elderly person, putting an elderly person down, humiliating or insulting an elderly person and blaming an elderly person for things that are not his fault. (See References 2 and 3 below.) The website of Nursing Home Lawyer Jeffrey H. Rasansky cites three signs that an elderly person may be suffering from emotional abuse: (See Reference 2 below.)
1) Distress or agitation
2) Withdrawing or failing to respond to conversations and questions
3) Behavior usually seen in dementia patients, such as sucking, rocking back and forth, and mumbling
Neglect
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Neglect, as defined by the Rasansky Law Firm website, is "when a nursing home employee, either through action or inaction, deprives an elderly resident of care, preventing them from maintaining physical and mental health." (See Reference 2 below.) Symptoms of neglect include ignored medical problems, lice, foul odors, soiled bedding, lack of heat or running water, and weight loss, malnutrition or frequent complaints of hunger. (See References 2 and 3 below.)
Sexual Abuse
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Sexual abuse ranges from nonconsensual contact with an elderly person to sexual harassment. Examples include rape, inappropriately touching an elderly person, showing an elderly person pornographic material, and forcing an elderly person to undress or pose for photographs. (See References 2 and 3 below.) Signs of sexual abuse include bruising around the breasts or genitals, underclothes that are torn or stained, surprising diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases, and bleeding of the anus or vagina. (See References 2 and 3 below.)
Reporting Abuse
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If abuse is suspected, a report should be made immediately. Do not pass off an elderly person's complaints or symptoms of abuse as mental deterioration, confusion or cries for attention, even if nursing home staff members try to explain problems that way. Every state has at least one toll-free hotline to assist elderly individuals suffering from abuse. These hotlines refer callers to local agencies which can offer assistance. (See Reference 3 below.) There are also a number of law firms that defend victims of nursing home neglect and abuse.
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