Posted on Friday, August 14th, 2020 at 8:35 am
When we entrust a Georgia nursing home or long-term care facility with our elderly loved ones, we expect nothing less than the best care from their staff and administrators. Unfortunately, instances of nursing home abuse happen far more frequently than many people realize. There are many different forms of nursing home abuse, and it is critical to understand each type in order to look out for your loved one’s health and safety when he or she is residing in one of these facilities.
At the law office of Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. our team has zealously advocated for many nursing home residents and their families when abuse was suspected. To learn more, call or contact our office today to schedule a free case consultation.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is what usually comes to mind when people think of nursing home abuse. This type of abuse refers to any type of physical harm or violence that injures a nursing home resident. Physical abuse may happen once or repeatedly over time, and because elderly residents are often weaker, their bodies can suffer tremendously from even minor forms of physical abuse. Examples of physical abuse include hitting, kicking, pushing, scratching, restraining, slapping, or punching nursing home residents.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse in nursing homes occurs when someone inflicts emotional pain or psychological distress on a resident. It can either be verbal or nonverbal, but the end result can be devastating for elderly residents. Examples of emotional abuse include blaming or scapegoating a resident, humiliation, ridiculing, ignoring a resident’s needs, intimidating or menacing a resident, isolating the resident, and yelling.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse refers to any action against a nursing home resident that is unwanted and sexual in nature. This includes contact with residents who, because of dementia or mental illness, cannot communicate consent for the activity. Signs of sexual abuse in nursing homes include pelvic injuries, bleeding from the genitals or anus, having an STD, torn or bloody underwear, signs of PTSD, suicide attempts, and panic attacks.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse occurs when someone illegally and improperly uses the financial resources of a nursing home resident. This often occurs with someone who has formed a relationship with the resident in order to take advantage of the situation. Examples of financial abuse include forging checks, stealing money or possessions, adding their name to banking accounts, changing the estate plan of a resident, and charging items to the resident’s credit card. If you suspect any type of abuse is occurring to your loved one in a nursing home or long-term care facility, it is important that you speak with a knowledgeable nursing home abuse attorney right away.
Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today
If you suspect that your elderly loved one has been subjected to abuse in a nursing home facility in the Atlanta area, call or contact the law office of Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced nursing home abuse attorneys.