Nursing Home Elder Abuse

Recent census data reflects that the U.S. has the greatest number and proportion of people 65 and older in decennial history. This Boomer Generation effect will continue for decades, which will result in many seeking care in nursing home facilities. In fact, in 2014, there were approximately 1.4 million nursing home residents in the country. This raises the specter of widespread elder abuse as many elderly people seeking care can be quite vulnerable to abuse from staff or other residents in a nursing home setting.

The National Center for elder abuse identifies seven types of abuse that the elderly commonly suffer: physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, neglect, self-neglect, abandonment and financial abuse. Family members should be aware of the different kinds of abuse that can take place and be alert to the signs when their family member is in the care of a nursing home facility.

Physical abuse may include actions such as slapping, shoving and kicking or may also include using drugs inappropriately or using physical restraints. Signs include bruising or welts, fractures, cuts, or other injuries to the body. Other signs may include behavioral or personality changes or an elderly person reporting abuse.

Neglect of the elderly in a nursing home setting boils down to refusing or failing to provide the elderly with the care they need. It may include refusing or failing to provide water, food, medicine, hygiene and personal safety. Symptoms and signs may include unsanitary conditions, poor hygiene, dehydration, malnutrition and untreated health problems, such as bed sores.

Financial abuse is defined as illegally or improperly using an elderly person’s assets or other property. In a nursing home setting, away from the eyes of a family member, financial abuse takes on many forms. Symptoms or signs of financial exploitation to look for include:

• A caregivers name showing up elderly person’s bank card or the transferring of assets to another name
• Using an elderly persons ATM card without permission
• Large sums of money being withdrawn from a bank account
• Changes to wills or other legal documents
• Forged signatures on financial documents
• Providing unnecessary services

Contact an Iowa Nursing Home Elder Abuse Lawyer Attorney for Help

Nowadays, many families have a family member cared for in a nursing home setting. It is good practice to be alert to signs of abuse or neglect to protect your loved one from harm. If your family member is injured or abused in an Iowa nursing home, contact the Iowa nursing home elder abuse lawyers at the law offices of John T. Hemminger at 515-283-2116 for immediate assistance.