Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Representing Vulnerable Adults in Nursing Home Negligence Cases

Regrettably, nursing home abuse and neglect is becoming an epidemic in this country. What often takes place in these homes is reprehensible, with nursing homes placing profits over the care of their residents.

In the United States alone, an estimated 2.1 million seniors are the victims of some form of abuse every year. What is even more shocking is that for every case of nursing home abuse and neglect that is reported, there may be as many as five more cases that go unreported. Research suggests that abused elders tend to die earlier than seniors who are well cared for, even in the absence of life-threatening and chronic conditions.

Physical abuse is one of the most common types of elder abuse. However, seniors also suffer from emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

Some common signs of physical abuse among seniors are:

Unexplained bruising
Torn clothing
Broken bones
Bed sores
Unexplained fall

Emotional abuse of the elderly may include:

Yelling and threatening
Intimidation
Humiliation
Ignoring
Isolation of the patient from others
Mocking, teasing and bullying

If your elderly loved one has been neglected, you may notice:

Medications being ignored, or improperly given
Improper personal hygienic conditions
Unsanitary living conditions
Malnourishment/dehydration

Financial exploitation is also a common form of abuse of the elderly. Caregivers sometimes:

Misuse elders’ checks, bank or credit accounts
Take money, checks or belongings
Forge signatures
Authorize withdrawals or transfer of monies without consent
Facilitate the patient’s identity theft

If you fear that a loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect, contact the Dearie Law Group right away. We can aid in an investigation of the alleged neglect, advise you on your legal rights, and advocate for your loved one against the nursing home or senior care center.