Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Verbal/emotional abuse

Verbal abuse can include a threat of any kind to cause physical pain or injury to a nursing home resident. Emotional abuse can include verbal and non-verbal acts that are meant to intimidate, humiliate and otherwise inflict psychological damage on a resident. Signs include:

• Sudden change in demeanor
• Depression or anxiety
• Nervousness around certain staff members or residents

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is the use of force or the threat of force to engage in non-consensual sexual contact with a nursing home resident. The abuse may be committed by a staff member, fellow resident or visitor to the facility. Signs include:

• Unexplained cuts or bruises, including the breasts and buttocks.
• Bleeding in the genital area
• Refusal to allow others to touch him or her
• Diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease

Financial exploitation

Any illegal use or wasting of a nursing home resident's money, personal property or other assets is financial exploitation. It can include theft by a staff member, embezzlement of a resident's funds by an administrator or use of fraud to gain access to a resident's funds. Signs include:

• Unusual ATM or other bank account withdrawals
• Checks "bounce" when sufficient funds should be available
• Loss of personal property, including clothes, jewelry and collectibles
• Abrupt changes to a will or trust

If you believe your elderly loved one has been abused in a nursing home, contact us right away. We can advise you on reporting the abuse and get to work immediately on protecting your loved one's health and your legal rights.