If you have a loved one in a nursing home, you never want to discover that he or she has suffered abuse. Learn to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse, as vulnerable older adults are not always able to speak out. There are a number of common types of nursing home abuse; not all of which involve physical injury.
Physical Nursing Home Abuse
If your loved one suffers physical harm while under the care of a nursing home, a member of the staff may have inflicted the injury. Striking a nursing home resident in any way that is deliberate constitutes physical nursing home abuse. If you see unexplained bruises or other injuries, it is cause for concern. You may wish to file a report with law enforcement if you suspect elder abuse at a nursing home. It is not unusual for physical nursing home abuse cases to result in the discovery of other types of abuse, such as sexual or financial abuse.
Nursing Home Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse in Florida nursing homes is a problem that persists, despite measures taken to properly vet staff and create safe environments for elderly residents. Unfortunately, those who engage in sexual abuse typically seek out vulnerable victims, and that may include elder residents of a nursing home. Some residents are unable to report the abuse, whereas others are too fearful to tell a relative or caregiver at the nursing home. However, the nursing home should facilitate a process for residents to confidentially and safely report instances of sexual harassment or abuse.
Nursing Home Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is every bit as harmful as other types of abuse. Actions that have a harmful psychological impact on a nursing home resident may constitute emotional abuse. Constant criticism, scolding, shouting and taunting are examples of emotional abuse that can cause psychological harm. An abused elder may show signs of withdrawal, anxiety or depression. Mood disorders and regression are often the result of a resident having suffered sustained and harmful emotional abuse at the hands of a nursing home employee or someone else who had access to the resident.
Nursing Home Financial Abuse
It is, unfortunately, not uncommon for nursing home residents to suffer financial abuse without detection. Over time, a thief can unlawfully take a considerable amount of money from a nursing home resident – often assuming the resident’s identity in order to make large purchases. Financial nursing home abuse may take the shape of physically stealing cash, identity theft-related financial abuse, blackmail and various types of fraud. There is the potential for a thief to completely clean out bank accounts of savings that are needed to pay the cost of the very nursing home where the abuse is taking place.
Nursing home abuse is a serious issue. Your loved one deserves compassionate representation from a nursing home abuse lawyer in Florida. Ligori & Ligori Attorneys at Law can offer you advice, guidance and representation if you wish to file a lawsuit related to any kind of nursing home abuse. We will always fight for justice on behalf of those who are most vulnerable in our communities.
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