Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that affects far too many elderly people every year. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), the number of people affected by it is on the rise. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 1 in 10 people 60 years old and above experienced some form of elder abuse, that number has doubled to 1 in 5 during the pandemic. However, these numbers are far from accurate given the lack of reporting. According to a National Center on Elder Abuse study, only one in 24 cases of elder abuse are ever reported to authorities
Elder abuse takes many forms, but the constant between all types is that it causes direct and lasting harm. It’s especially distressing when this abuse occurs in a nursing home or other type of extended care facility. These places are supposed to be where our elderly loved ones can live with support and care, not places where they should need to worry about being abused or taken advantage of by the very people supposedly providing that care. If your loved one is currently living at a nursing home in Louisville, here are some of the most common forms of elder abuse and the warning signs you can look out for to help protect them.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves harm or violence that leaves lasting damage. Physical harm is especially dangerous for older people given the significantly slower recovery time compared to younger people. While it is one of the easier to identify forms of abuse given the evidence it leaves behind, it can have devastating long-term impacts if left unchecked. Some signs you can look out for include:
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Sprains and other soft tissue damage
- Burn marks
- Scars, bruising, or welts, especially around ankles and wrists (this can be a sign of excessive use of restraints)
- Broken glasses or other personal effects
- Restrictions from being alone with your loved one/out of the sight of caregivers
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is typically non-physical, and involves intentionally inflicting distress, anguish, or pain through verbal or nonverbal actions. This is one of the most common forms of elder abuse — according to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost one-third of nursing home staff members admitted to emotionally abusing residents. Some common signs of elder abuse include:
- Changes in behavior like becoming more reclusive, jumping at raised voices, and general withdrawal
- Increased agitation
- Avoiding eye contact or cowering when in the presence of specific caregivers
- Decrease in self-esteem
- Rocking back and forth
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Increased nervousness, sadness, or depression
- Self-harm
- Reluctance in speaking openly
Neglect
Neglect can be unintentional in some cases, but that doesn’t change how damaging it can be. This form of abuse can also be the result of issues in the facility as a whole, rather than individual actors. Some examples include:
- Unsafe living conditions like lack of heat or air conditioning throughout the year, poorly maintained facilities, hazards left around, etc.
- Bedsores
- Soiled clothing or bedding
- Lack of bathing
- Medication not being administered in a timely manner
- Being left alone in a public location
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is especially prevalent with people who have some sort of mental disorder like dementia or Alzheimer’s. These types of conditions not only make it effectively impossible to grant any form of consent, they can also make it difficult to relay information to other caregivers or loved ones after the fact. Some signs to look out for include:
- Pelvic injuries
- Contracting STDs
- Bloody or torn underwear
- Bruising around their thighs or genitals
- Bleeding or irritation around genitals
- Increased agitations
- Increased problems walking or sitting
Financial Abuse
Similarly to sexual abuse, conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s make elderly people especially susceptible to financial abuse. It is also one of the more difficult forms of abuse to identify, especially since it is typically perpetrated by a trusted loved one. Some common signs to look out for include:
- Missing valuables or jewelry
- Sudden change in power of attorney
- Sudden changes to their will
- Checks or bank statements made out to new people
- Large bank withdrawals or transfers
How to Quickly Identify and Prevent Abuse in Nursing Homes
Keeping our loved ones safe is one of the most important things we can do. While it may not be possible to prevent all harm, there are steps you can take to be in a position to react quickly and mitigate the extent of the abuse. The very best thing you can do for your loved one is to stay in regular contact. One of the most common signs for all forms of abuse is a change in personality or demeanor — it’s significantly easier to identify this if you regularly visit and speak with your loved one. Not only will this help you identify the warning signs or evidence of abuse quicker, it’s also just good for your loved one’s overall health to have regular contact with loved ones. Moving into an extended care facility can be stressful, and remaining a presence in their lives can provide some grounding and comfort as they adjust to this new phase.
If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of elder abuse, it’s important to find legal representation you can trust. At Thomas Law Offices, our Louisville nursing home abuse attorneys are committed to fighting for the rights of injured victims across Kentucky. Give us a call to discuss your situation with a member of our firm today, or fill out our online form to provide us with details of your situation and we will reach out as soon as possible to discuss your options moving forward.
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