Five Warning Signs of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes
In the United States, roughly 18% of the population is comprised of adults aged 65 and over. As the older population continues to age, many look to nursing homes and assisted care facilities for support in their later years.
When a loved one enters one of these facilities, it's natural to expect the highest quality of care. However, abuse or neglect can occur in nursing homes, which can put your loved one's safety and well-being at stake.
At the Law Offices of Steven Zwick, based in Orange County, California, our attorneys understand the sensitive nature of elder abuse cases, and we are committed to helping you pursue the necessary legal action to protect your loved one. Here, we provide an overview of the common warning signs of elder abuse in nursing homes and what you should look out for if you suspect abuse or neglect has occurred.
What Is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse refers to any single or repeated act, whether intentional or negligent, that causes harm to an older adult. In nursing homes, perpetrators of elder abuse can take the form of staff and caretakers, nursing home agencies, or other trusted individuals. Under federal and state law, elder abuse is typically considered a violation of an older adult's human rights.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly one in ten older adults (age 60 or older) has experienced abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Elder abuse rarely follows a set pattern. Instead, it can be caused by a caregiver's personal issues, lifestyle adjustments in a nursing home, and even societal pressures and opinions about older people.
Regardless of the cause, elder abuse can take several forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, sexual abuse, and neglect or abandonment. Any resident in a nursing home facility can be vulnerable to abuse or neglect, so it's imperative to monitor your loved one whenever possible and know the warning signs of potential abuse.
Five Common Signs of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can happen for a number of reasons, and it's important to know what to look for to spot abuse or neglect as soon as possible. If you observe any of the following signs, consult an experienced nursing home abuse attorney to take steps to protect your loved one's safety and hold the responsible nursing facility or caregiver accountable.
Physical Injuries
Physical abuse occurs when a caregiver or resident engages in an action that results in unnecessary physical injury or pain. This can involve minor actions, such as slapping, or more extreme actions, such as beating or physically restraining your loved one.
Some common injuries your loved one might exhibit following physical abuse include:
Cuts, scrapes, or lacerations
Burns, bruises, welts, or black eyes
Broken bones, dislocations, or sprains
Signs of restraint (e.g., rope marks on the wrists)
Broken eyeglasses (often a sign of physical altercation)
Medication overdose or underdose
Behavioral Changes
Elders in a nursing home may be subject to emotional or psychological abuse by caregivers or other residents. Psychological/emotional abuse can occur when one person maintains a level of power or coercion over your loved one. This can frequently lead to heightened anxiety, fear, and isolation.
Some behavioral changes that might allude to psychological/emotional abuse include:
Your loved one being distant or emotionally withdrawn
Your loved one being quick to anger
Your loved one engaging in nervous behavior, such as biting nails or rocking
Your loved one experiencing depression or anxiety
Your loved one expressing fear of being left alone with their caregiver
Changes in your loved one's sleeping or eating habits
Neglect or Poor Hygiene
Neglect isn't always intentional, but it can have significant impacts on the well-being and safety of your loved one within a nursing home. Neglect occurs when a caretaker fails to provide the necessary resources or assistance your loved one needs, such as clothing, food, water, medication, or assistance with daily routines.
The primary warning signs of neglect or poor hygiene in a nursing facility include:
Unexplained weight loss due to malnutrition
Dizziness or fatigue due to dehydration
Untreated injuries or unattended health issues
Unsanitary living conditions (e.g., unclean living spaces, soiled clothing or bedding, or lice or bed bugs)
Hazardous living conditions (e.g., no heat, no air conditioning, no running water)
Changes in Your Loved One's Financial Situation
Physical and emotional challenges are not the only types of abuse. Elders can often be victims of financial exploitation. This can take the form of misusing the resident's funds or more serious crimes, such as embezzlement.
Changes in your loved one's financial situation after they've moved into a nursing home that may point to financial exploitation include:
Sudden withdrawals from bank accounts
Unexplained asset transfers
Unexplained credit or debit card purchases
Unpaid bills despite having the resources to pay them
The addition of other names to your loved one's financial documents
Signs of Sexual Abuse
Unwanted sexual behavior can happen in a nursing home, whether from a caregiver or a resident. This can include inappropriate touching, taking inappropriate pictures of your loved one, or subjecting them to unwanted sexual activity.
Sexual abuse isn't always easy to spot, but the warning signs you can look out for include:
Unexplained STDs, STIs, or other genital infections
Bruises around the breasts or genital areas
Changes in your loved one's behavior when a specific person is around
Reports of rape or sexual assault
Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Orange County, California, Today
Nursing homes should be comfortable environments for your loved ones. However, this isn't always the case, and abuse or neglect can occur, whether voluntary or involuntary. If you suspect your loved one has been a victim of abuse or neglect, contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to take action to protect your loved one's safety.
At the Law Offices of Steven Zwick, we are experienced in handling nursing home abuse claims. Our attorneys will help you file a claim against the responsible party and seek legal protections to safeguard your loved one's well-being. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.
We proudly represent clients across Orange County, including but not limited to Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, and Yorba Linda.