Warning Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse

Spotting the warning signs of nursing home abuse early could help prevent your loved one and other care home residents ongoing suffering.

It’s estimated that only 1 in 25 cases of abuse are reported, due to victims being unable or unwilling to share what’s happened to them. This means many residents endure suffering abuse or neglect for longer than they have to.

To figure out how the nursing home you have chosen for your family is rated and to see if the home has any prior violations, check out our nursing home index. We’ve compiled all of the nursing homes in Arizona as well as their health code reports.

Additionally, take a look at our Nursing Home Glossary– an index of important words you need to know in a nursing home abuse case and their definitions.

While some types of abuse leave a more visible impact on their victims, others can be harder to spot. Here’s what you need to watch out for.

Spotting early warning signs

The earliest signs of abuse are often very subtle and can easily go unnoticed, some examples might include:

Fear of a specific member of staff
An untidy or unclean environment
Signs of discomfort

In these cases sharing your concerns with the management team at the nursing home should be the first thing you do. They have a duty to investigate your concerns to ensure they’re giving a good level of care to their residents.

It’s then important to monitor things closely to check that things have improved as you would expect and that no other signs of abuse or neglect follow.

Most common signs of abuse

Unfortunately the earliest warning signs are the hardest to spot, or may not be present at all before your loved one starts to suffer.

Signs that abuse may already be happening vary depending on the type of abuse that’s taking place:

Signs of physical abuse:

Physical abuse is the most common and makes up 27.4% of nursing home abuse cases. Warning signs that physical abuse may be taking place include:

Bruising
Bedsores
Abrasions
Frequent infections

Signs of emotional or physiological abuse:

Emotional abuse usually manifest itself in changes to behaviour, including:

Isolation
Being withdrawn
Not speaking to visitors
Crying for no obvious reason
Anxiety and fear

To find out more about the different signs of abuse and how they might present themselves in your elderly loved one you can read our guide on the most common signs of nursing home abuse.

Signs of sexual abuse

Sexual abuse accouunts for 7.9% of reported nursing home abuse cases in the U.S, although the true figure may be higher.

There are some specific warning signs that can point to sexual abuse, including:

Torn clothing
Pain when sitting down
Not wanting to talk or communicate
Fear of a specific person
Unexplained bruises

To find out more, you can read our in depth article: Sexual abuse in nursing homes in Arizona and pursuing a case..

Signs other residents are abusing your loved one

Sadly other residents in a nursing home are one of the most likely perpetrators of abuse, sometimes due to the effects of medication or health conditions like Alzheimer’s.

22% of abuse cases reported to the National Center for Victims of Crime were resident on resident assaults.

If you suspect your relative is being abused by another resident in their nursing home speak to the management team about your concerns straight away.

You can find out more about resident on resident assaults by reading our article: Why Do Resident on Resident Assaults Occur in Nursing Homes and What Should Be Done To Prevent Them.

Spotting abuse in eldery residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia

It’s much harder to know when abuse is happening when the victim has difficulty telling you what’s happening.

In these cases family and friends who visit the nursing home resident need to be extra aware of potential signs of neglect or abuse.

You can find out more by reading our guide: What can I do if my loved one with Alzheimer’s is the victim of nursing home abuse?

What injuries could have been caused by abuse or neglect?

Unfortunately a wide range of injuries can be the result of abuse or neglect, but there are some that are more common than others, including:

Bedsores: often caused, or allowed to progress, when a patient isn’t regularly turned to relieve pressure on an area of their skin.
Hip fractures: often caused by a fall which could often be prevented.
Bedrail entrapment: can be caused by an improperly fitted bed rail, or where the resident is given a bedrail when one isn’t suitable.
Choking injuries: while these can be more common in elderly residents, nursing staff should be monitoring high risk patients and supervising closely during meal times.

Signs of nursing home abuse articles

Our articles on nursing home abuse give you all the information you need to recognize different types of abuse and the confidence to act in the best interest of the victim.

Get Help Now

Our team of abuse attorneys is dedicated to seeking damages on behalf of those family members who are being abused and help you find better accommodations for them in the nearby area. We’ve worked on a number of nursing home abuse cases previously in your area and take the time to understand the family’s concerns as well as the situation they believe their loved one is in.

At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their and their loved one’s personal injuries, including those from nursing home abuse in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.

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