Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse has become far too common in our society, but the truth is, many people don’t know much about it. Some assume physical abuse is the most common type, while others believe the elderly are simply neglected by overworked nurses. While both of these kinds of abuse certainly do occur, abuse comes in many shapes and forms. In fact, there are officially 6 different types of nursing home abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, abandonment and financial exploitation.

Emotional abuse is one of the most tragic forms of nursing home abuse. Frustrated nurses often take their anger or dissatisfaction out on their patients, both verbally and non-verbally.

Elderly nursing home residents are often easy prey for sexual predators. Often mentally or physically weak, nursing home residents are often victims of sexual abuse, especially if the facility does not perform background checks on employees.

Abandonment is a surprising and sad type of abuse many often overlook. Though nursing home nurses and workers assume responsibility for their residents, they are often overworked and sometimes forget about their patients.

Financial exploitation is yet another cruel type of nursing home abuse. Whether it is a nurse pick pocketing a few dollars from a wallet or pocket, or the liquidation of entire savings accounts, financial abuse is not to be taken lightly.

Obviously, abuse can take many different forms, often at the same time. By visiting our loved ones often and checking for tell-tale signs of abuse, we can prevent , or at least circumvent nursing home abuse.