What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse occurs when caretakers harm residents of long-term care facilities. Both intentional and unintentional harm may be considered elder abuse in nursing homes. This abuse can result in trauma, medical emergencies, and even death.
Sadly, nursing home abuse is prevalent due to understaffing, improper training, and staff burnout. These factors can cause staff members to take out their anger on the people they should care for. It may also prevent them from responding to urgent situations like falls or strokes.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take if your loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse. First, you can help keep them safe by reporting the abuse to proper authorities, like the local police or your state’s Adult Protective Services (APS) division.
You can also seek financial compensation to pay for your loved one’s medical care and other expenses with help from a nursing home abuse lawyer.
Nursing Home Abuse Statistics
While nursing home abuse statistics can be disturbing, it is essential to learn how common the problem is. This is especially true if you have a loved one living in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or another long-term care facility.
Here are some key nursing home abuse statistics you should know:
- As many as 1 in 3 older adults have been the victim of nursing home abuse
- 2 in 3 staff members surveyed by the WHO admitted to abusing or neglecting residents
- Roughly 85% of assisted living facilities reported at least one case of abuse or neglect
- According to National Public Radio, 97% of nursing home abuse cases across 5 states were not reported to local law enforcement
- Elder abuse rates have increased during COVID-19
- Abuse of elderly adults can cause severe injuries and long-term mental health issues
Tragically, the WHO expects elder abuse cases to increase in the future since the global population is rapidly aging. You can help keep your loved one safe by educating yourself about abuse and neglect in nursing homes.
Types of Abuse in Nursing Homes
The term “nursing home abuse” often brings physical injuries to mind. However, it may also include neglect, sexual assault, emotional harm, and other issues. It’s important to know which type of nursing home abuse your loved one is suffering from so you can properly help them.
Physical Abuse
If nursing home staff members intentionally cause physical harm to a resident, they are committing physical nursing home abuse. Common examples of physical abuse include pushing, kicking, and hitting.
Nursing Home Neglect
Some nursing home residents may be left unattended for extended periods, putting them in danger. Nursing home neglect can lead to dehydration, sepsis, and pressure ulcers, among other deadly situations.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual nursing home abuse includes any form of unwanted sexual activity. A 2017 CNN report explored cases where nursing home residents had been sexually abused by staff members. The report found that over 1,000 nursing home facilities across the country had received citations for mismanaging sexual abuse cases.
Other Types of Abuse
Nursing home residents are also at risk of elder financial abuse and emotional abuse. While these types of nursing home abuse may not leave physical marks, they can be just as harmful, severely affecting your loved one’s quality of life.
Nursing Home Abuse Warning Signs
Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse is critical to protect victims and prevent more harm from being done. Signs of nursing home abuse can range from subtle neglect to blatant physical abuse.
Nursing home abuse and neglect warning signs include:
- Bedsores, especially stage 4 bedsores
- Broken bones and fractures
- Bruises, burns, and welts on the skin
- Cuts, lacerations, and skin tears
- Dehydration and malnutrition
- Facial and dental injuries
- Falls that cause fractures or head injury
- Infections that turn into sepsis
- Unexplainable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Unexplained weight loss
In severe cases, nursing home abuse or neglect can even lead to wrongful death.
If you notice any nursing home abuse warning signs, you should seek legal help right away. Compensation may be available.
Nursing Home Abuse Causes
There are many reasons why elder abuse occurs in nursing homes and care facilities. Typically, it occurs when caregivers are unfit to help older people.
When nursing home employees are not adequately trained, they can become easily frustrated and stressed. While many employees have healthy coping methods, some take out their stress by harming the residents.
Chronic staff shortages can also make abuse more likely. Without adequate staffing, nursing home residents cannot get the necessary care and attention. Over time, chronic neglect can cause many long-term physical and emotional issues.
The bottom line is that no matter the causes of nursing home abuse, it is always dangerous and unacceptable.
Risk Factors for Abuse in Nursing Homes
While any nursing home resident could suffer from abuse or neglect, some factors may put certain elders at a greater risk of abuse.
Potential risk factors for elder abuse include:
- Being female: In a study published by Justice Quarterly, women accounted for 67% of elder sexual abuse cases.
- Being a veteran: Veterans may require more medical care than civilians and suffer from illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), putting them at a greater risk of abuse.
- Having a mental illness: The National Council on Aging (NCOA) notes that almost 50% of elders with mental impairments suffer from abuse.
- Identifying as LGBTQ+: The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) found that 8% of LGBTQ+ elders were physically abused by a caregiver.
If an older person is at increased risk of elder abuse, keep a close watch on them and note any negative changes in their appearance or behavior.
Negligent Nursing Home Staff
The actions — or lack thereof — of nursing home staff members may also cause abuse or neglect. While understaffing in nursing homes is a chronic problem, it should never result in harm to residents.
Staff actions that may indicate nursing home abuse include:
- Failing to respond to residents’ requests for assistance
- Improperly administering medications
- Not responding to concerns about conflicts between residents
- Poor planning when it comes to moving residents between floors or rooms
- Showing disrespect or poor attitudes toward residents
It’s important to note these staff behaviors along with any injuries your loved one has suffered. Keeping detailed notes on these factors can make it easier to report nursing home abuse later on.
How to Report Nursing Home Abuse
It is crucial to speak up if you or your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect. Bringing your concerns to the proper authorities may allow healing to begin and justice to be served.
Additionally, nursing home facilities that are held accountable are more likely to take action, helping keep future residents safe.
The first thing to remember is to always call 911 in a life-threatening emergency.
You might not know for sure if a nursing home resident’s injuries stem from abuse. In these cases, you can contact your state’s branch of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or APS.
These agencies check on the welfare of nursing home residents to see if they are being abused.
Have you noticed signs of nursing home abuse? Contact us today by calling (800) 896-7040.
Nursing Home Abuse Laws
Federal and state nursing home abuse laws are in place to ensure nursing facilities provide high-quality care to residents.
These laws grant nursing home residents:
- The ability to file a nursing home abuse lawsuit if they are mistreated
- The right to a safe living space free of abuse
- The right to participate in decisions regarding their care
Families and nursing home residents need to know their rights early on. This can help prevent abuse or address it before it causes serious injuries or long-term harm.
Preventing Nursing Home Abuse
Many instances of nursing home abuse go undetected. Thankfully, it may be possible to prevent abuse from happening or continuing.
You can prevent nursing home abuse by:
- Recognizing the signs and causes
- Regularly checking in on your loved one
- Taking preventative measures (like changing nursing homes) if needed
With the help of an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer, you may be able to hold abusive staff members financially accountable.
Our team is dedicated to ending the epidemic of nursing home abuse — and you can join our fight. If you or a loved one suffered from nursing home abuse, see if you can take legal action with a free case review.
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
A nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to help you and your loved one get compensation while holding abusive staff members responsible.
In some nursing home abuse cases, victims who worked with nursing home abuse lawyers have received millions of dollars.
Money awarded in a nursing home abuse lawsuit can help pay for:
- Funeral costs
- Hospital stays
- Other expenses that stem from the abuse
Nursing home abuse law firms may also secure punitive damages, which is extra money awarded to punish the abusers for the harm they caused.
Our trusted lawyers can help you and your loved ones take legal action. Call us today at (800) 896-7040.
While you may think filing a lawsuit is time-consuming and complex, you don’t need to worry. Skilled nursing home abuse lawyers make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
Nursing home abuse attorneys can:
- Gather evidence to build a legal claim
- File the claim within state deadlines
- Work to retrieve the highest amount of compensation possible
Experienced nursing home lawyers have seen the effects of abuse firsthand. If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of nursing home abuse, these attorneys can work on your behalf to hold nursing home staff members responsible.
Get a free case review today.
Nursing Home Abuse FAQs
What is considered abuse in a nursing home?
A wide range of scenarios may be considered nursing home abuse. While some are more obvious — such as a staff member hitting a resident — even a single mistake that causes serious harm can be abuse.
Nursing home neglect is also considered abuse. While it may not be malicious, it can cause long-lasting harm.
How can understanding nursing home abuse help me?
Through information and education, victims and their families can better understand the risks, signs, and types of nursing home abuse.
For example, families who know the signs of abuse can look out for them while visiting an older loved one and take action to prevent it from happening again.
Are there specific risk factors for elder abuse in nursing homes?
Yes. Some factors may put certain elders at a greater risk of abuse, including being female or a veteran, having a mental illness, or identifying as LGBTQ+.
Can I sue a facility for nursing home abuse or neglect?
Yes, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit if your loved one suffered from nursing home abuse and neglect. Nursing home abuse lawsuits are a common way for attorneys to secure compensation for victims.
Why does abuse happen in nursing homes?
Nursing home abuse occurs for a variety of reasons. Frustrated staff members may take their anger out on the elderly residents they’re supposed to care for by causing them physical, emotional, or sexual harm.
Understaffed nursing homes may not have enough employees to care for residents, leading to neglect.
