Nursing Home Abuse vs. Nursing Home Neglect

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In the United States annually, 30% of nursing facilities for the aged are cited for instances of abuse. What is even more shocking and disturbing is the fact that the majority of nursing home abuse and neglect cases are never even reported. This information has raised serious concern about how to stop this problem, or, at least minimize it. When we put our elderly loved ones in a nursing home or assisted living facility, we’d like to think that they will receive the same standard of care that we would provide, but that is often not the case.

Abuse and neglect of the elderly is a shameful reality in the United States, and it has existed for a very long time. As the number of seniors in our country increases each year, so will the number of cases of elder abuse and neglect. But there is legal action you can take if your loved one has been the victim of elder abuse and neglect.

Abuse vs. Neglect

You will often see the terms “abuse” and “neglect” together and sometimes used synonymously, but, in actuality, abuse and neglect are two very different things.

Abuse of an elderly person may take the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse. Some signs and symptoms of elder abuse include:

• Bruises
• Cuts
• Unexplained blood in the genital and/or anal areas
• Broken bones
• Fear
• Odd behavior
• Depression
• Burns

Signs and symptoms that your loved one is being neglected may include:

• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Sores that don’t heal
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Soiled clothing
• Dirty linens

The type of abuse that is most common against the elderly is financial exploitation. Caretakers and relatives financially exploit the elderly by:

• Withdrawing money from accounts
• Forging signatures
• Opening accounts
• Transferring funds
• Re-writing wills
• Stealing cash and material possessions
• Stealing the senior’s identity

Regardless of whether your loved one is being abused or neglected, a personal injury attorney specializing in nursing home abuse and neglect can advise you of your rights should this horrific crime happen in your family.

If you live in Florida and your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing facility, please visit the website of nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys Hardest Tyde Green & Ashton, P.A. today to learn more.