At Large and Associates we believe it is the duty of everyone who visits a nursing home to help police the system. While there are many fine nursing facilities, it is equally true that state and federal budget cuts, for-profit homes operated by large companies, crowding, dementia and mental health issues, poorly paid and trained staff, and a host of other issues all too often leave our most vulnerable adults exposed to neglect and abuse.
Nursing home neglect can include failure to assist residents with body positioning, which can lead to bed sores, muscle and joint problems, and other health complications; lack of toileting or changing disposable garments; failure to assist with proper nourishment; failure to provide opportunities for walking or other light exercise; lack of bathing; failure to provide assistance with participating in activities; ignoring bells or cries for help; and failure to properly medicate or overmedicating.
Tragically, many neglect and abuse cases go unreported because of dementia, a fear of retaliation or because a neglected or abused senior doesn’t want to burden family members with the problem.
Abuse is the intentional cause of harm or pain to a resident in a nursing facility and can include physical, mental, verbal or psychological abuse as well as sexual abuse, corporal punishment, intimidation or unreasonable seclusion.
- Physical abuse: Can include a staff member, visitor, other resident or intruder and can involve hitting, pinching, shoving, force-feeding, slapping, spitting, punching or scratching.
- Psychological or emotional abuse: Includes berating, yelling, cursing, ignoring, ridiculing, threatening or other forms of deprivation or punishment.
- Sexual abuse: Includes improper touching or coercion to perform sex acts.
- Misappropriate or theft of money or property: Failure to place a resident’s funds in separate interest-bearing accounts when required, or the theft or embezzlement of money or property.
Signs of Tennessee and Virginia nursing home neglect or abuse:
Adapted from information provided by the Elder Abuse Foundation.
Call 423-968-4969 today for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights.
