Nursing home abuse can be the worst nightmare of nursing home residents and their loved ones. For that reason, it is helpful to be familiar with the different forms of elder abuse and the legal protections available to victims of nursing home abuse and their families.
Different types of elder abuse
Nursing home abuse can be serious. There are several different types of elder abuse that can occur in nursing homes including:
- Physical abuse. Physical abuse can include the infliction of bodily injury or physical pain.
- Sexual abuse. Sexual abuse can occur when there is any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident of the nursing home facility.
- Emotional abuse. Emotional abuse includes the infliction of anguish, pain or distress on the victim. Emotional abuse can be verbal or non-verbal.
- Financial or material exploitation. Financial abuse includes the illegal or improper use of the resident’s funds, property or assets.
- Neglect: Neglect occurs when the nursing home and nursing home staff withholds or fails to provide the care the resident needs. When the nursing home staff or nursing home does not fulfill its obligations and duties to the resident, is may be considered nursing home neglect.
- Abandonment: Abandonment can harm a nursing home resident when a nursing home or nursing home staff member has physical custody or resident and the responsibility to provide care for the resident and abandons them.
Recourse for victims and families
Victims of nursing home abuse and neglect, and their family members, have legal protections that can hold a negligent nursing home accountable and obtain help with their damages. When a loved one has been harmed in a nursing home, family members should be familiar with all the resources available to them, including legal remedies and resources.