HomeLawyerDifferent Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Different Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Unfortunately, nursing home abuse has been increasing at an alarming rate. The National Center on Elder Abuse has reported that about 10% of elders face nursing abuse in nursing homes. This is unacceptable, and nursing home managers and owners should take steps to change this immediately. There is no excuse for treating nursing home residents, especially elders, who lack empathy and care. 

If your loved one has experienced a nursing home, you deserve justice. Abuse can take form in various ways, and unfortunately, not every type of abuse is immediately apparent to the family members of older people. It is important to know the different types of nursing home abuse to take action when necessary. Consult with a law firm to speak with a lawyer today. 

Different types of nursing home abuse 

  • Emotional abuse. 

Emotional abuse is among the most common forms of abuse across nursing homes in the United States. It is also not easily visible to the victim’s family because emotional abuse often does not involve physical abuse. Therefore, the family is often late in taking action. 

Emotional abuse can occur in the form of yelling, making fun of residents, threatening them with physical harm, telling residents that their family members do not care about them, etc. It involves emotionally harming them. 

  • Physical abuse. 

After emotional abuse, physical abuse is the most occurring phenomenon in nursing homes. Physical abuse is taken seriously because it involves inflicting physical harm upon residents and causing them injury or impairment. However, not all physical abuse leads to obvious injuries or bruises. Certain types of abuse, like malnutrition and dehydration, can happen subtly. 

Examples of physical abuse include punching, tripping, ignoring medical conditions, ignoring calls for help, etc. 

  • Nursing home neglect. 

Nursing home neglect happens when the staff fails to do their job duties adequately or does not take proper care of the residents. As a result, the resident suffers from emotional and physical pain. Remember that neglect differs from the word abuse. Here, the nursing home neglects or shows a lack of care toward the resident instead of abusing them. 

  • Sexual abuse. 

Sexual abuse occurs whenever someone attempts non-consensual sexual contact with another person. Sexual abuse can occur when someone: 

  • Continually asks for sexual favors after the other person has already denied them. 
  • Sends inappropriate jokes or images. 
  • Touches someone without consent.
  • Penetration without consent. 

The nursing home’s duty is to protect its residents from any abuse, whether sexual, physical, or emotional. If a nursing home has failed to do that and it has caused harm to your loved one, speak to an attorney today. 

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