Kansas City Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys

What are the different types of nursing home abuse?

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), senior citizens in Missouri or Kansas may be subject to the following types of abuse:

Physical abuse

This conduct is the use of any force that may cause physical pain, bodily injury, or an impairment. Examples include punching, hitting, pushing, shaking, kicking, slapping, and burning a senior. Physical abuse also includes failing to administer the medications the resident needs or improper use of physical restraints. Some of the obvious (and less obvious) signs of physical abuse family members and friends should look for include:

• Black eyes, bruises, cuts, or restraint marks.
• Broken bones and fractured skulls.
• Open wounds, punctures, and untreated injuries.
• Sprains any signs of bleeding or internal injuries.
• Broken eyeglasses.
• Irregularities in medication dosages.
• Statements by the senior of physical abuse.
• Sudden change in behavior.
• Refusal by the nursing home staff to let a visitor see the senior alone.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is defined as non-consensual sexual contact. Many seniors are unable to give consent due to physical or mental infirmity. Sexual abuse includes rape, forced nudity, sexually explicit photos, sodomy, and battery. Signs of sexual abuse include:

• Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding.
• Torn or bloody clothing.
• STDs.
• Bruises and cuts around the sexual parts of the body.
• Reports of sexual abuse by the senior.

Emotional and psychological abuse in nursing homes

Emotional abuse includes inflicting pain or anxiety by either verbal or nonverbal acts. Signs and examples of psychological abuse include:

• Intimidation.
• Verbal assaults.
• Silent treatment.
• Isolation of an elder resident from other nursing home members, family, or friends.
• Treating the resident like a child.
• Seniors who withdraw or disengage.
• Unusual behavior such as sucking or rocking.
• A report by the senior of psychological abuse.

Financial abuse in nursing homes

Nursing homes and staff members may try to take advantage of the trust of seniors. Examples of financial abuse include:

• Unauthorized powers of attorney or wills in favor of a staff member.
• Cashing checks without permission from the senior.
• Forgery.
• Stealing.
• Failure to consult with the senior’s guardian or conservator.

Signs of financial abuse:

• Unusual or large bank withdrawals.
• Adding the name of a staff member on accounts.
• Loss of treasured possessions.
• Unpaid bills.
• Unusual interest in the senior by relatives who had little or no contact with the senior before.
• A report of financial abuse by the senior.