Nursing home abuse in Missouri takes many forms and is not always easy to detect.
Unfortunately, however, abuse is far more common than most people care to admit in nursing homes. The World Health Organization estimates that one in every six people over the age of 60 living in such community settings experience some form of abuse each year—with the majority of staff even admitting that they have committed some form of abuse.
If an elderly loved one suffers abuse in a nursing home setting, it’s essential to identify it, report it, and seek a satisfactory remedy, including possible legal action.
Let’s look at what you need to know….
Types of nursing home abuse in Missouri
First, anyone with a loved one in a nursing home should familiarize themselves with the types of abuse and the associated warning signs.
You should be able to identify not only signs of physical or sexual abuse but also emotional/psychological abuse, financial abuse, and general neglect.
Often, victims do not report the abuse to management or their families out of fear, shame, guilt or other reasons—some patients are not even aware of the abuse so family members need to remain alert.
Let’s look at the main types of nursing home abuse in more detail…
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is frequently under-reported by victims, nursing home staff, and witnesses. It can result in almost any type of physical injury, including:
- Bruises
- Unexplained welts, abrasions, and lacerations
- Bone fractures
- Open wounds
- Head trauma
Sometimes, the results are seen in damaged personal possessions, such as broken eyeglasses, wristwatches or jewelry. Medicinal abuse may also lead to unusual drowsiness or sedation.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse by caregivers or other residents can happen to anyone in nursing homes. Typical signs of sexual abuse include:
- Bruises or other marks around the breasts or genitals
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
- Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Sleeplessness
- Sudden agitation
- Withdrawal from social situations or activities
Emotional or psychological abuse
Most staff in nursing homes are well-meaning, well-trained, and professional. However, nursing home staff are often overworked, some are under-trained, and others are not properly background-checked.
Even if there is no physical or sexual abuse, various types of psychological or emotional abuse can take their toll on victims. This type of abuse may include forced isolation, shouting, insults, cruelty or making threats. This can lead to:
- Emotional distress
- Unexplained agitation
- Withdrawal from social situations or daily activities
- Uncommunicative/non-responsive behavior
- Repetitive nervous behaviors such as biting or rocking
- Lack of self-care
- Low self-esteem
Nursing home neglect
Nursing home neglect can sometimes be overlooked as a form of abuse. It usually occurs when caregivers fail to provide necessary care for the nursing home patients under their supervision.
Neglect often occurs due to under-staffing and can lead to:
- Untreated health conditions
- Missed medications
- Bedsores
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Weight loss
- Poor personal hygiene or unsanitary conditions
Financial abuse
Financial abuse is another often neglected form of abuse affecting nursing home residents. This usually occurs when a nursing home staff member or other resident accesses and uses funds without the victim’s knowledge or permission, often causing great distress.
Financial abuse in nursing homes may be identified by sudden changes in bank accounts/banking practices, unexplained withdrawals or large transfers, surprise changes to a will/financial documents, the unexplained disappearance of funds/possessions or forged documents/signatures.
The victim may be reluctant (or unable) to discuss financial matters.
Other common signs of nursing home abuse
Physical injuries and wounds are highly visible signs of potential abuse but the warning signs can be more subtle and tough to detect. This is especially so because elderly patients may exhibit altered behavioral characteristics simply from the change of environment when they first enter a nursing home.
Anxiety, depression or withdrawal from activities
One often silent sign of abuse in nursing homes is increased anxiety or depression without any obvious reason.
This can result in sudden behavioral changes and actions that seem driven by fear, nervousness or anxiety. Often, residents become quite withdrawn and refuse to take part in social events or activities.
Unsanitary or unsafe living conditions
Rooms and common areas in nursing homes should be clean, sanitary, and free of health or injury hazards at all times.
If you notice excessive dirt or dust, insect infestations, blocked exits/entrances, torn carpets, broken steps or handrails or other trip and fall risks, these problems should be reported.
Poor hygiene or malnourishment
Nursing home residents may suffer from poor hygiene or poor diet, dehydration, and malnutrition due to a lack of assistance from neglectful caregivers.
Unless adequate assistance is provided with bathing, grooming, and changing clothes or undergarments, poor personal hygiene can result. Be aware of body odor, unkempt hair, dirty fingernails or soiled garments, for instance.
Poor diets can lead to weight loss and poor general health, so be on the lookout for these warning signs.
Absence of medical aids
At least basic medical aids such as walkers, wheelchairs, eyeglasses, and proper first aid should be available to all residents in nursing homes. Their absence points to something being wrong—and possible abuse or neglect.
How do I report elderly abuse and neglect in Missouri?
Families who place their elderly relatives in nursing homes should be able to entrust their loved ones to their caregivers.
If there are any signs of abuse or neglect, witnesses or victims should report this as soon as possible. In Missouri, you can use the Missouri Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline’s online reporting system, which is open 24/7 365 days a year or call (800) 392-0210.
Anyone can report suspected elder abuse in Missouri. Try to include as much detailed information as possible to facilitate an investigation—including names, addresses, descriptions of abuse, and any evidence—or seek legal assistance.
Experienced nursing home abuse lawyers can help you seek justice and compensation through a lawsuit.
If you need legal assistance with a personal injury claim for nursing home abuse in the Greater Kansas City area, please contact Noland Law Firm, LLC for a free case evaluation. Call us at (816) 781-5055 or contact us directly online.
