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INSTITUTIONAL
ELDER ABUSE
Institutional
elder abuse is an unconscionable act that is perpetrated
upon older individuals who are unable to protect themselves
against physical, emotional, sexual, or financial
abuse. What makes institutional elder abuse so egregious
is that the nursing home resident, guardian, or their
family has paid money to the very people or facility
that is abusing their loved one. In this section,
we will outline what you should look for as signs
that abuse in a nursing home is occurring.
If you recognize any of these signs or symptoms from
a resident of a nursing home and cannot find a legitimate
reason for its existence, you need to contact
an attorney who can begin collecting the information
you need to bring suit against the perpetrators of
this serious crime.
Signs
of General Neglect and Elder Abuse
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Sores or rashes on the body
-
A smell of urine or fecal matter on elder's
body, in their room
or other living area
-
Safety and/or health hazards are evident
in elder's living area
-
Elder has an untreated medical condition
-
Obvious malnutrition
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Elder is excessively dehydrated
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Inadequately clothed
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Signs
of Physical Elder Abuse
-
Bruises, welts, or discoloration on the face or
body
-
Bedsores (skin ulcers, pressure sores, decubitus
ulcers, dermal ulcers, or pressure ulcers)
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Puncture wounds, cuts, scratches, lacerations
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Scared or fearful attitude of resident to a particular
staff member
-
Reluctance of resident to explain burns, wounds,
bruises, etc.
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Soiled clothing, bed, or living area
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Untreated or cared for medical problems
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Bodily problems not compatible with resident's history
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Burns on the body (commonly from cigarettes, ropes,
restraints, etc.)
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Significant weight loss (in absence of illness)
-
Noticeable dehydration (in absence of illness)
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Noticeable malnutrition
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Significant skin problems
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Bleeding or hemorrhaging below scalp
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Signs
of Sexual Elder Abuse
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Signs
of Emotional Elder Abuse
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Confusion
-
Unwarranted anger
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Depression without illness
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Agitated state
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Unusual silence or sulleness
-
Helplessness
-
Hesitation to talk openly
-
Implausible stories
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Confusion or disorientation
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Denial
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Fear
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Withdrawal symptoms
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Signs
of Financial Exploitation
-
Resident has no awareness of their financial affairs.
Not aware of how their money or assets are being
handled.
-
Resident's rent is often overdue. Other bills are
late or are unpaid.
-
Noticeable difference between known material status
of resident and appearance (clothing, material possessions,
etc.).
-
Inappropriate activity of bank accounts
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Signatures on checks do not resemble the older person's
signature, or signed when older person cannot write
-
Recent changes to will for a resident who is unable
to make such a decision.
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Caregiver concerned that too much money is being
used to provide resident with care and services.
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Signs
of Facility Problems
-
Insufficient staff training
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Less than adequate maintenance on structures.
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Excessive demands on staff
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Insufficient staff
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Poorly paid staff
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Accepting residents whose needs cannot be met by
facility
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Crowding/concentration of vulnerable adults
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High employee absenteeism
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Staff duties not properly defined
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Poor response to alleged incidence of abuse
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High personnel turnover
If the safety and health of your loved one is in jeopardy, and you feel that they have suffered some form of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact us to speak with an attorney. |
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