Columbus Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

Elder abuse is vastly understudied in the United States. However, we know that those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities often face abuse and neglect. The CDC defines elder abuse as “an intentional act or failure to act by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a serious risk of harm to an older adult.”

Today, we want to discuss some of the main types of abuse that occur in a nursing home. Please always be on the lookout for signs that a loved one is being abused, such as:

• Changes in behavior or mood
• Unexplained bruises, scrapes, or cuts
• Your loved one becoming withdrawn
• Dirty clothes, linens, or rooms
• Deterioration of health

What kind of abuse can occur?

• Financial abuse – Nursing homes and their staff often have access to a resident’s finances and personal information. In the wrong hands, this information can be used inappropriately. Their identities could be stolen or their money could be used in unauthorized ways. Family members should always keep track of their loved ones’ expenses.
• Insurance Fraud – Nursing homes can take advantage of a resident’s insurance by billing for procedures and medications that they are not actually giving the resident.
• Negligence – Ensuring that a resident has food, medications, baths, regular exercise, and proper wound care is essential. If nursing home staff fails to do these things, they are neglecting those under their care.
• Physical Abuse – If a nursing home staff member or volunteer uses physical force on a resident, such as slapping, punching, shoving, and more, then they are committing abuse.
• Sexual Abuse – Sexual contact of any kind between nursing home staff or volunteer and a resident is illegal. This can include both verbal and non-verbal assault as well as physical sexual abuse.