Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) suspects that one out of every 10 older adults is abused or neglected in our country, but only one in five elder abuse cases is ever reported. There are few national studies that accurately identify the incidence of elder abuse and neglect, the NCEA says. Statistics on the state level are even scarcer.

The following are signs that neglect or abuse may have taken place, or is currently taking place, in an assisted care facility:

• • Malnutrition or dehydration
  • Staff refusing access or delaying visitors who come to see a resident
  • Staff not allowing a resident to be alone with a visitor
  • Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, sprains or fractures
  • Bedsores, pressure sores or frozen joints
  • Venereal disease or genital infections
  • Loss of resident’s possessions
  • Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts, or changes in banking practices
  • Sudden changes in will or other financial documents
  • Sudden changes in behavior.