Different Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Online, June 18, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Residents of nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities have the right to be free from abuse by anyone in the facility. Elder abuse can be perpetrated by staff, volunteers, other residents, or friends and family. Abuse to a resident by any of the above mentioned perpetrators can come in several forms, and abuse in any form is unacceptable and may warrant legal action.

The most straightforward form of elder abuse is physical abuse, which is often the most common association with the term elder abuse. Elder abuse can come in many other forms that residents and their family members may be less familiar with and may be harder to identify. While physical abuse includes any unwanted touching, often hitting, striking, shaking, pushing or other act that leaves an identifying mark on the victim. Emotional abuse and verbal abuse may be harder to identify because they leave no such mark. Causing a resident to feel fear or shame, especially by yelling, swearing, or otherwise intimidating them are all forms of abuse that should never be tolerated by residents and their family members.

Other forms of elder abuse include isolation, neglect and financial abuse. Nursing home residents have the right to be free of these kinds of abuse to the same extent as physical or emotional abuse. Isolation includes such acts as involuntary seclusion, withholding of mail or contact from family members. Neglect can be in the form of withholding basic hygiene and medical care, as well as not receiving basic food, shelter, or other basic needs. Financial abuse is not limited to theft of personal items or money, financial abuse can take the form of being charged for unwanted services or overcharging daily rates.

The attorneys and staff at Berman & Riedel, LLP, encourage all residents of nursing homes, and their family members, to be aware and on the lookout for the different types of elder abuse that are unfortunately all to common. Residents and family members who feel they may have been a victim of elder abuse or those who may have witnessed the abuse of another resident should contact the Administrator of the facility immediately or other trusted staff member.