Nursing Home Abuse is More Common Than You Think

Our elderly loved ones deserve the best care we can provide. Unfortunately, some of our seniors require more care than we can give and need to be placed in a nursing home or similar care facility. This can be a painful step – we are trusting these facilities with providing our loved ones with the care they need in their declining years. Tragically, many of our seniors suffer horrific abuse at the hands of their caregivers. If you suspect your loved one is the victim of abuse, a Laurel nursing home abuse lawyer can provide the help you need. 

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is one of the most common forms of nursing home abuse a Laurel nursing home abuse lawyer encounters. This can include the following: 

• Slapping
• Punching or hitting
• Shoving
• Kicking

Elderly people can suffer severe injuries due to physical abuse that can require extensive medical treatment or a long recovery time. Some of the injuries they suffer may not be the direct result of the abuse. For example, they may fall due to being kicked or shoved and suffer a broken bone or a concussion. 

Confinement

Confinement could be considered physical abuse but deserves specific consideration. In some nursing homes, the elderly are locked in their rooms or restrained to their beds. The nursing home may claim that they did this for your senior’s own safety, but the reality is that confinement and restraint quickly become inhumane. Seniors who are confined or restrained may injure themselves, may not be able to get to the bathroom, or may suffer mental and emotional trauma as a result.  

Psychological Abuse

Nursing home residents can also be subjected to psychological abuse that leaves them upset and terrified. Seniors may be threatened, criticized, and subjected to other verbal abuse. This can severely impact your loved one’s mental health, leading to severe depression and anxiety. If your senior shows signs of psychological abuse, a Laurel nursing home abuse lawyer can help you find out what happened and hold the nursing home accountable. 

Sexual Abuse

As hard as it may seem to believe, many of our seniors in nursing homes are even subjected to sexual abuse. This can include everything from rape to offensive touching. In addition to depriving them of their dignity, sexual abuse also commonly leads to depression, anxiety, and other psychological and emotional trauma. 

Financial Abuse

Lastly, many nursing home residents become the targets of those looking to take advantage of someone. From outright theft to asserting inordinate influence over their financial affairs, many of the elderly wind up victims of financial abuse. If you suspect that your loved one is being financially abused, you should contact a Laurel nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. 

Work with an Experienced Laurel Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, trust your instincts and get help right away. The Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles with locations in Leonardtown and Waldorf can protect your senior and help you hold the nursing home accountable. For a free consultation, call us at 301-705-5006 or contact us online to discuss your case and how we can help.