Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Assault; Battery; Sexual Assault; Sexual Battery; Rape; Unreasonable physical restraint; Deprivation of food and/or water; Use of restraints or medication for purposes inconsistent with physician authorization; Improper amounts of medication; Unexplained injuries; Open wounds, bruises, cuts or welts; Slapping, pushing, shaking, beating; Forced to remain in a room for periods at a time; Unexplainable medical conditions.
NEGLECT
Bedsores or frozen joints; Unclean and unsanitary conditions; Unwillingness to assist in personal hygiene; Failure to prevent dehydration and malnutrition; Lack of care for existing medical conditions; Infections; Lack of sufficient access to medical services; Unsatisfactory protection from safety hazards; Venereal disease; Genital Infections; Vaginal or Anal bleeding; Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing.
VERBAL AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Wanting to be isolated from others; Unusual behavior (biting, rocking); Emotionally distraught and agitated; Non-communicative; Frightened behavior towards friends and family; Ignoring friends and family; Sudden Changes in Behavior.
OTHER WARNING SIGNS
Staff refusing or delaying to allow visitors to see residents; Staff not allowing visitor to be alone with resident; Resident being kept in over-medicated state; Sudden large withdrawals from bank accounts or changes in banking practices; Abrupt changes in financial documents; Loss of resident’s possessions; Any injury as a result of the staff not aware of the resident’s location (i.e. wandering inside or outside the facility); Rapid weight fluctuation; Frequently ill without being reported to family and physician.
