When you place an elderly relative in a nursing home, it’s only reasonable to expect that he or she will be well cared for. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect are common occurrences that compromise the health and well being of the elderly. The nursing home abuse attorneys at Jones Law Group in Columbus, Ohio have extensive experience helping nursing home residents and families report cases of abuse and neglect. 

• Identifying Abuse & Neglect 
• Reporting Abuse & Neglect  

If you suspect that an elderly person is the victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, the first step is to make sure that he or she is no longer in a dangerous situation. The nursing home may be held liable for resulting damages, such as medical bills, disfigurement, disability, and pain and suffering. There are many different grounds for filing a nursing home abuse claim, including negligent hiring, understaffing, inadequate training, and breach of statutory or regulatory rights. 

What Constitutes Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect?

As elderly people become more physically frail, they’re less capable of fighting back when they’re attacked or bullied. Because they cannot hear or see as clearly, it’s also easier for the elderly to be taken advantage of. Elder abuse takes place where the senior lives, most often in long-term care facilities and other institutional settings. The abuse of elders can take many different forms, including the following: 

• Physical abuse: Using non-accidental force against an elderly person that results in pain or injury is considered physical abuse. Examples include hitting, pushing, restraint, and confinement.
• Emotional abuse: Emotional abuse against an elderly person can be verbal or non-verbal. Verbal emotional abuse includes yelling, blaming, threats, and humiliation. Non-verbal emotional abuse includes ignoring, isolating, or terrorizing the elderly person.
• Sexual abuse: Sexual contact without the elder’s consent may include forcing the elderly person to watch sex acts, showing the elder pornographic material, and forcing the elder to undress.
• Neglect or abandonment: Neglect or abandonment occurs when caregivers fail to fulfill their responsibilities, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
• Financial exploitation: Financial exploitation is the unauthorized use of an elderly person’s funds or property.
• Healthcare abuse and fraud: Unethical doctors and care providers may be guilty of healthcare abuse or fraud if they overmedicate, under-medicate, overcharge for medical care or services, or recommend fraudulent remedies for illnesses. 

Many signs of elderly abuse are difficult to identify because they overlap with the signs of mental deterioration. Some common warnings signs of nursing home abuse include frequent arguments between the caregiver and the elderly person, changes in the behavior and personality of the elderly person, sudden financial problems, rapid weight loss, and unexplained signs of injury. If you believe that a loved one might be the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, give Jones Law Group a call at (614) 545-9998 or contact us online  to discuss your case.  

Steps to Report Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect 

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4

Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

• Reporting Abuse Neglect
• Identifying Abuse Neglect