Every year, tens of thousands of elderly Americans are subjected to abuse in their own homes, in the homes of relatives, and even in nursing home facilities entrusted with their daily care. In fact, according to a 2009 report, nearly one-third of nursing homes in the United States have been cited for elder abuse in …
Every year, tens of thousands of elderly Americans are subjected to abuse in their own homes, in the homes of relatives, and even in nursing home facilities entrusted with their daily care. In fact, according to a 2009 report, nearly one-third of nursing homes in the United States have been cited for elder abuse in recent years, and the disturbing issue is on the rise. The physical vulnerability of elderly people, accompanied by decreased mental status in some nursing home residents, makes them especially susceptible to physical, emotional and even sexual attacks by the very people who are responsible for their care and well-being. If you or your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse in Oklahoma, contact an OK nursing home abuse attorney to discuss your legal options.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Institutional centers like nursing home facilities are one of the most common sources of elder abuse in the United States. Nursing home abuse can involve a variety of different actions (or lack of action) against older people in these facilities, including physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, intimidation, and sexual abuse.
Physical Nursing Home Abuse
Physical elder abuse is defined as an intentional use of force against an elderly person, which results in physical pain, impairment or injury. Physical nursing home abuse includes not only physical assaults like hitting or shoving, but also involves inappropriate use of restraints, confinement or medications.
Emotional Nursing Home Abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse against the elderly involves nursing home staff speaking to or treating a resident in ways that cause emotional pain or distress. Verbal forms of emotional abuse may include humiliation or ridicule, intimidation through threats or yelling, or habitual blaming. Emotional abuse can also take the form of nonverbal abuse, which involves terrorizing or menacing the elderly person, or ignoring, neglecting or isolating the elder.
Sexual Nursing Home Abuse
Sexual elder abuse includes contact with an elderly person without that person’s consent. This contact can involve physical sexual acts, but can also include showing an elderly person pornographic material, forcing the person to undress, or forcing the elderly person to watch sex acts.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Because victims of nursing home abuse are typically elderly individuals, signs of abuse may initially be attributed to frailty or the onset of dementia. Common indicators of nursing home abuse include physical signs like bruises, lacerations, burns caused by cigarettes or acids, welts or open wounds.
Emotional or psychological abuse may result in withdrawn or skittish behavior by the elderly person, changes in personality or behavior, or frequent arguments or tension between the elder and caregiver. Warning signs of neglect by nursing home caregivers may include unusual weight loss, unsanitary living conditions, being left dirty or unbathed, or the presence of untreated physical problems, such as bed sores.
Contact an Oklahoma Personal Injury Attorney for Help
Nursing home abuse and neglect is a serious problem in the United States, and research shows that more and more nursing homes are being cited for despicable acts of abuse against elderly people. If you suspect that a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse in Oklahoma, contact an OK personal injury attorney for legal guidance. The personal injury lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center have experience in handling nursing home abuse cases, and can help you hold the negligent party liable for their actions. Nobody should be subjected to physical or emotional abuse, especially by the people who have been entrusted with the care of the very people being harmed. With the help of a qualified Oklahoma nursing home neglect attorney, you can help the nursing home abuse victim get the legal help he or she needs.