Nursing Home and Elder Abuse

Physical, Sexual and Emotional Abuse

Evidence of physical abuse or neglect in a nursing home, dependent adult or assisted living facility may be the most obvious to detect, even when your loved one may not be able to communicate any problems.  Always be alert for the following signs of potential physical abuse:

• Cuts, bruising, skin discoloration, bruises, black eyes, unusual marks;
• Open wounds, punctures or untreated injuries in different healing stages
• burn marks;
• Broken bones, skull fractures, sprains, dislocations and internal injuries;
• Physical signs of punishment or restraint, such as bruising at the wrists;
• Broken eyeglasses;
• Behavior changes;
• Loved one’s report of being mistreated, including slapping, hitting or kicking;
• Refusal of facility staff to allow visitors to see the loved one alone.

If you observe any of the above signs of physical abuse, you should take immediate action to remove your loved one from any potentially dangerous situation and to get a full explanation from the administrator of the facility regarding the cause of the injury. If you are not satisfied with the explanation, you may need to report your concerns to one or more agencies, such as the:

• California Department of Health Services (DHS)
• California Department of Aging (CDA)
• Department of Social Services (DSS)

These agencies can conduct investigations into your concerns.

Sexual abuse may be identified by bruises around the breasts or genital area, unexplained venereal disease or genital infections, as well as unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding.  You should be alerted to potential abuse if you observe torn, stained, or bloody underclothing or missing underclothes.

Watch for signs of depression, agitation and isolation, as these are potential warning signs of sexual abuse. Agitation may be expressed by your loved one by rocking or swaying back and forth and self-talking.  Of course, if your loved one reports being sexually assaulted or raped, report it to the facility and authorities immediately for investigation and remove the victim from any potentially dangerous situation.

Additionally, you should be aware of sudden or unusual behavioral changes in your loved one. If your loved one appears to be fearful, cower or otherwise physically or emotionally retreat in the presence of any staff member, it may be an indication of physical or sexual abuse. You must act immediately if you witness any act of physical or sexual abuse towards your loved one or another resident.

Emotional abuse can be difficult to recognize. If your loved one appears agitated, stops communicating or is withdrawn, these may be signs of emotional abuse.  Also, behavior such as thumb sucking or repetitive rocking in the bed could be indications of serious abuse that should be immediately addressed. Be aware that your loved one may hesitate to tell you about the abuse for fear of retaliation from the abuser. 

If you believe that a loved one is a victim of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, please click here to contact an experienced Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff elder abuse attorney who can help you investigate your claim and take legal action against the abusers, the residential facilities, and the employers who failed to identify and stop the abuse.

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