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Nursing home abuse is a heartbreaking reality for many elderly individuals nationwide. It is essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this type of abuse so that you can provide your loved one with the necessary protection. In this blog post, we will discuss common signs of nursing home abuse and provide guidance on what steps to take if you suspect your loved one is being abused in a nursing home facility.
Forms of Nursing Home Abuse
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse includes any intentional act that causes harm or pain to an elderly person—whether it be hitting, kicking, pushing, or other forms of violence. If you notice any unexplained injuries on your loved one's body, such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones, these may be signs of physical abuse. Other warning signs include:
- Sudden changes in behavior (such as becoming withdrawn or agitated)
- Reluctance to talk about specific members of staff at the nursing home
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse involves inflicting emotional pain or distress on an elderly person. This could involve verbal insults, threats of punishment, humiliation, and coercive control tactics such as intimidation or isolation from family and friends. Warning signs may include:
- Unexplained withdrawal from social activities or conversations
- Sudden changes in behavior (such as becoming unusually quiet)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fearfulness around certain people at the nursing home facility
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse occurs when someone takes advantage of an elderly person’s finances for their own gain without permission or authority from that individual. Warning signs may include:
- Sudden changes in account statements, such as high levels of spending activity
- Transfers between accounts
- Large withdrawals
- Unexpected changes to wills and other legal documents
- Unauthorized use of credit cards and ATM cards
If you suspect financial abuse is occurring at your loved one's nursing home facility, you should contact law enforcement immediately.
It can be challenging to recognize the signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse – especially if your loved one lives far away from you – but it is important to stay vigilant in order to ensure their safety and well-being. Keeping an open line of communication with your family member(s) can help identify potential issues quickly so that appropriate action can be taken.
If you suspect that your loved one has been subjected to any form of nursing home abuse – whether physical, emotional or financial - then do not hesitate to contact authorities so they can investigate the matter.
Seeking Justice for Your Loved Ones with Obenshain Law Group
At Obenshain Law Group, our experienced team of nursing home abuse attorneys is here to help you seek justice for your elderly loved one. We understand what a difficult and emotional experience this can be, which is why we are dedicated to providing compassionate and aggressive legal representation for victims of nursing home abuse.
If you believe that your loved one has been subject to any form of mistreatment, do not hesitate to contact us today (540) 318-7360 – we are ready to fight on their behalf!