How to Recognize Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

According to the National Council on Aging, “Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.”

As a Virginia personal injury lawyer who represents victims of these terrible incidents in insurance claims and civil lawsuits, I know that too much of the reported and unreported elder abuse occurs in nursing homes, long-term care facilities and assisted living communities. I also have seen too many times that neglect by health care professionals and staff members leads to unnecessary suffering and even death.

LEARN MORE

• A Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer Describes How He Handles Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Cases
• Understand the Difference Between Elder Abuse Claims and a Medical Malpractice Case
• Reports of Injuries and Abuse of Elderly Nursing Home Patients Rising

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016 issued this uniform definition of elder abuse: “Intentional act or failure to act by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a serious risk of harm to an older adult.”

Such harmful acts take many forms, and individuals who have developed dementia or who suffer from a disability are most at risk. Recognizing a problem is the first step toward stopping it and holding responsible parties accountable.

Regarding what to look for, allow me to borrow heavily from a much longer list of signs and symptoms of elder/nursing home abuse and neglect published by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Physical Abuse

• Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, and rope marks
• Broken bones
• Open wounds, cuts, punctures, untreated injuries in various stages of healing
• Broken eyeglasses/frames, or any physical signs of being punished or restrained
• Laboratory findings of either an overdose or under dose medications
• Individual’s report being hit, slapped, kicked, or mistreated
• Vulnerable adult’s sudden change in behavior
• The caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors to see a vulnerable adult alone

Sexual Abuse

• Bruises around the breasts or genital area
• Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections
• Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
• torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
• an individual’s report of being sexually assaulted or raped

Mental Mistreatment/Emotional Abuse

• Being emotionally upset or agitated
• Being extremely withdrawn and noncommunicative or nonresponsive
• Unusual behavior usually attributed to dementia (e.g., sucking, biting, rocking)
• Nervousness around certain people
• An individual’s report of being verbally or mentally mistreated

Neglect

• Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores and poor personal hygiene
• Unattended or untreated health problems
• Hazardous or unsafe living condition (e.g., improper wiring, no heat or running water)
• Unsanitary and unclean living conditions (e.g., dirt, fleas, lice on person, soiled bedding, fecal/urine smell, inadequate clothing)
• An individual’s report of being mistreated

Exploitation

• Sudden changes in bank account or banking practice, including an unexplained withdrawal of large sums of money
• Adding additional names on bank signature cards
• Unauthorized withdrawal of funds using an ATM card
• Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents
• Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions
• Bills unpaid despite the money being available to pay them
• Forging a signature on financial transactions or for the titles of possessions
• Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming rights to a vulnerable adult’s possessions
• Unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family
• Providing services that are not necessary
• Individual’s report of exploitation

Sadly, it typically falls to adult children and friends of the victims of nursing home abuse and neglect to report issues and take legal action. Calling police, state health officials and, yes, a Virginia personal injury lawyer immediately is often justified. Know that I and my colleagues will do what we can to help.

EJL