Abuse

Nursing home and assisted living facility abuse comes in many different forms. Understanding the different types of abuse within nursing homes and assisted living facilities is key to protecting your loved ones and holding facilities accountable when they violate our trust. Below is a summary of the different types of abuse.

• Physical Assault: Perhaps the most obvious type of abuse, this generally involves intentional harm or injury inflicted on a resident by a staff member or another resident. Examples include hitting, slapping, kicking, or shoving a resident. It can also include intentional unnecessary roughness when handling a resident.

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• Restraint Abuse: While restraints are permitted in certain limited circumstances, the overuse or inappropriate use of physical restraints, such as straps or ties, that are designed to restrict a resident’s movement may constitute abuse. For instance, improperly securing a resident to his or her bed or wheelchair, can be considered abuse. This conduct often leads to both physical and emotional harm.

• Sexual Abuse: Inappropriate sexual contact or verbal sexual harassment of a resident by staff members or other residents is abuse. This type of abuse may include unwanted touching, sexual assault, or forcing a resident to engage in sexual acts.

• Verbal Abuse: Verbal abuse can have physical and emotional consequences for residents. Verbal abuse includes yelling, using derogatory language, or threatening a resident. Such abuse can cause anxiety, depression, and even physical stress-related illnesses.

• Forced Medication: Administering medication against a resident's will or in excessive doses is a form of abuse. In some instances, it may also be considered an unlawful use of a chemical restraint. For instance, sedating a resident merely for the convenience of staff constitutes a form of abuse.

• Deprivation of Basic Needs: The deliberate withholding of essentials like food, water, or clothing constitutes abuse. Refusing to assist a resident who requires assistance with one or more of their activities of daily living (e.g., transferring or toileting) also constitutes abuse.

• Improper Handling or Transfers: Mishandling or rough handling during transfers or repositioning, causing physical injuries like fractures, dislocations, or skin tears is another form of abuse. Your loved one deserves to be treated with decency.

• Financial Exploitation: Although not physical in nature, stealing a resident’s money, possessions, or assets can result in financial harm, affecting the resident’s ability to afford essential medical care or a comfortable living environment. Under Florida law, financial exploitation is also a crime.

• Inadequate Hygiene Care: Failing to assist residents with their personal hygiene needs can lead to infections, rashes, or other physical discomforts. Such intentional conduct is abusive.

When visiting a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility it is critical that you look for any signs of abuse, such as unexplained injuries, behavioral changes, or unaddressed health issues. If you believe your loved one has been abused by a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact the experienced attorneys at FIDJ, before it’s too late.