What Constitutes As Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse is a very serious issue. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of abuse may be difficult, but it is not impossible. It is important to know what constitutes as abuse to help identify the signs.

Types

• There are three types of nursing home abuse: physical, emotional and neglect. All three of these can be extremely harmful.

Signs

• Physical abuse includes assault, rape, excessive physical restraint, deprivation of food or water, and administering too much or too little medication. Emotional abuse includes insults, verbal threats and humiliating deeds. Neglect includes refusing to properly medicate, feed, protect from hazards, change diapers or assist in personal hygiene

Identification

• Physical abuse can be identified by cuts, sores, bruises, and other unexplained injuries. Neglect can be recognized by infections, unsanitary conditions, rashes, dehydration, and excessive weight loss. Emotional abuse may cause the patient to become agitated, upset, isolated, and begin showing strange behavior patterns.

Causes

• Many factors contribute to nursing home abuse: a poorly trained and overworked staff, under-paid employees, inadequate staffing, and a lack of background check on the employees involved. Elders are less likely to get the care they need if there is not enough staff, and some aggravated employees may take out their frustrations on the victims.

Prevention/Solution

• Preventing nursing home abuse can be difficult. According to the Nursing Home Alert website, visiting frequently at different time intervals, speaking to nurses, talking to doctors, and taking the proper action when signs of abuse begin can help prevent abuse.