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Our elderly loved ones are often as vulnerable as young children, yet their decades of experience, work, and care mean they deserve the utmost respect and consideration of their dignity. No matter how carefully a family researches facilities in their area and within their budgets, elder abuse statistics remain staggering. In 2020 alone, there were 15,000 reported cases of nursing home abuse in the U.S. Worse, research suggests that for every reported case of elder abuse, approximately 24 cases go unreported. Many elderly nursing home residents are physically or cognitively unable to report their own abuse or neglect.
Elder abuse occurs in nursing homes, assisted care facilities, hospitals, and in private residences. It’s important to know the most common types of elder abuse and to recognize the signs so you can protect your own elderly loved ones. An Arizona elder abuse attorney can help navigate your legal options if you have been negatively affected.
Physical abuse is a sadly common problem in nursing home facilities. Seniors may be victims of abuse by caregivers, staff members, and by other residents. Poor hiring requirements and lack of supervision in nursing homes contribute to abuse statistics. Physical abuse is an intentional act meant to inflict pain and intimidation. Common signs of physical abuse include:
If you see any signs of physical abuse in an elderly family member, it’s important to report it to the authorities, the nursing home staff, and your local Adult Protective Services.
Neglect in nursing homes and long-term care facilities is an even more common problem than physical abuse. Understaffed facilities, poor hiring methods, and frequent staff turnover contribute to problems of neglect. Nursing home neglect is the failure or refusal to provide basic care to an elderly resident. Signs of neglect include:
Neglect can be as deadly and demoralizing to elderly residents as intentional physical abuse. Report any suspected cases of elderly neglect to authorities.
Elderly people are vulnerable targets for those seeking to financially exploit them. Signs of financial abuse of the elderly include:
Your elderly loved ones worked hard to pay for their retirement and eventual care in long-term care facilities. Financially exploiting the elderly is an egregious crime.
The World Health Organization reports that 1 out of 3 nursing home caregivers in anonymous surveys admitted to committing acts of emotional abuse. Emotional abuse includes verbal assaults, insults, bullying, threatening, intimidating, or otherwise inflicting emotional distress. Signs of emotional abuse include:
Emotional abuse is as real and damaging as other forms of elder abuse. Around 67% of elderly emotional abuse victims are women. Those who have previously experienced emotional abuse are more likely to become victims of this type of abuse during their senior years.
Around 7% of reported cases of elderly abuse are sexual. Elderly nursing home residents may experience sexual abuse by caregivers or other residents within their care facility. Signs of sexual abuse include:
Sexual abuse of the elderly is an insidious and under-reported problem. If you notice any signs of sexual abuse in an elderly loved one, it’s important to report it immediately.
The personal injury attorneys in Phoenix, Arizona, at Knapp & Roberts have the compassion and trial lawyer skills to tell your story to a jury. We will get to know you and your family so that we can help the jury understand what has happened to you and your family and how it has changed your lives. Obtain the compensation necessary for the injuries and losses you have suffered.
