Elder abuse is far more common than many people would like to believe. Help keep your loved one safe by reading these recent case studies on elder abuse in nursing homes. Accepting that elder abuse is a real problem is the first step in preventing it.
Examples of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes: A Nationwide Problem
Nursing home abuse happens when trust is violated through an act — or a failure to act — that harms a resident. It can include emotional, financial, physical, or sexual abuse as well as nursing home neglect.
Tragically, a 2020 report from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that roughly 1 in 6 adults 60 years old and over were the victims of elder abuse in nursing homes and other community settings.
Even worse, WHO warns that this already alarming figure is likely to be too low since only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse is ever reported.
Recent case studies on elder abuse in nursing homes show that this is, unfortunately, a nationwide problem.
The most common forms of nursing home abuse are:
- Emotional abuse: When an older person is yelled at, threatened, or belittled
- Nursing home neglect: Substandard care of a nursing home resident
- Physical abuse: Any form of violence that leaves an older person significantly injured, including cases of wrongful death
- Sexual abuse: Any sexual contact with an older adult who cannot give their consent
Thankfully, help is available if you or a loved one suffered nursing home abuse or neglect. Get a free case review to see if you can access legal compensation.
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Examples of Case Studies on Elder & Nursing Home Abuse
1. Suspected Nursing Home Abuse in Massachusetts
After hundreds of 911 calls were made about suspected nursing home abuse, a criminal investigation was launched against an assisted living facility in Watertown.
Several of the heartbreaking reports include:
- After responding to a call about a faulty ventilator, firefighters found that none of the electrical outlets in a resident’s room were working
- An injured nursing home resident was on the floor asking for help, but when firefighters asked the staff member in charge about it, she just laughed
- Firefighters found staff performing CPR on a man who had already been dead for hours
Further, in a case of suspected physical abuse at the same nursing home, the daughter of a dementia patient found her mother’s face severely battered.
“It was horrific. She had a huge gash on her forehead and a lump the size of a golf ball, her whole face was bruised.”
– Daughter of Massachusetts nursing home resident
These examples reveal a widespread pattern of abuse and neglect by staff, which will hopefully be corrected. No nursing home resident should ever have to endure these hardships.
For many families, filing a Massachusetts nursing home lawsuit is a path to getting the justice and compensation they deserve.
2. Nursing Home Sexual Abuse in Minnesota
A male caregiver at a Minneapolis care facility was sentenced to eight years in prison for the rape of a nursing home resident with Alzheimer’s disease.
“My final memories of my mother’s life now include watching her bang uncontrollably on her private parts for days after the rape, with tears rolling down her eyes, apparently trying to tell me what had been done to her, but unable to speak.”
– Daughter of Minnesota sexual abuse victim
A follow-up investigation by CNN revealed that the rapist had assaulted multiple other residents, including those who suffered from mental or physical handicaps, before he was finally caught.
By working with an experienced Minnesota nursing home abuse lawyer, families can hold negligent facilities accountable for allowing such appalling situations to happen. Nursing home lawsuits can help improve care standards and help protect residents in the future.
3. Nursing Home Neglect in Iowa
A nursing home resident in Iowa died after extreme neglect related to dehydration. The emergency room doctor believes she died from a stroke after not receiving any type of fluid for at least 4-5 days. The nursing home was fined $77,463.
In addition to fines like these that may mean little to a profitable nursing home, families can hold facilities accountable by seeking Iowa nursing home settlements.
In some cases, nursing home lawsuit payouts can reach $1 million or more. These settlements provide justice, financial relief, and help protect other residents by calling attention to severe neglect.
Examples of Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes During the Pandemic
While nursing home abuse and neglect were already a very serious issue, the COVID-19 crisis made things even worse.
Neglect and isolation was responsible for causing severe damage to countless nursing homes residents during the pandemic, according to Human Rights Watch and many other sources.
Nursing home abuse case studies from the COVID-19 pandemic revealed:
- A resident in her 80s who was healthy pre-pandemic died shortly after visitation stopped due to suspected malnutrition.
- In less than a year, a dementia patient living in a nursing home went from 106 pounds to 82 pounds before being discharged and dying several days later.
- A dementia patient in her 70s lost 20 pounds during the pandemic and developed painful bedsores on her buttocks and toes.
While thankfully, the coronavirus is less of an issue in 2024, the impact on nursing homes and their residents won’t soon be forgotten.
Why Does Elder Abuse Happen in Nursing Homes?
Elder abuse in nursing homes is a significant problem that affects residents, their families, and everyone else involved in the abuse.
Here are several main causes of nursing home abuse:
- Inadequate staffing: When staff are stretched to their limit, working long hours without help, it can increase their stress and frustration. For this reason, understaffing can lead to higher rates of abuse.
- Insufficient training: Poorly trained staff are less likely to have the necessary skills to deal with difficult or complex situations, resulting in increased rates of abuse. This is especially true in caring for dementia patients, which requires specialized training.
- Lack of supervision: This occurs when a nursing home operates without a medical director or administrator to properly train and manage staff. Without appropriate leadership in facilities, abuse is more likely to take place.
- Staff burnout: It’s the responsibility of every nursing home to manage the morale of the staff who work for them. When morale is low, staff get frustrated, burned out, and are more likely to commit abuse.
No matter the cause of the abuse, it’s important to know that it’s never acceptable. Every resident deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and all types of nursing home abuse should be reported.
How Common Is Elder Abuse?
About 16% of nursing home residents report being abused according to a study by the National Library of Medicine.
It is believed that elder abuse is more likely to occur with nursing home residents than with older adults living in community settings. In fact, 2 in 3 nursing home staff members admitted to abusing or neglecting residents in the 2020 WHO report.
In 2023, 94,499 health citations were issued to nursing homes throughout the United States. Of these, 7,654 were directly related to the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of residents.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
The most common signs of nursing home abuse are physical symptoms and changes in behavior. However, different types of abuse are likely to show different signs.
Some common signs of nursing home abuse and neglect include:
- Bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration
- Bruising, scars, cuts, and welts on the body
- Mumbling, rocking, sucking one’s thumb
- Unexplained STDs or bruising on the genitals
If you witness nursing home abuse or notice signs of it, remember to report it to the proper authorities. For anyone who’s been abused in a nursing home, know that help is available.
Get Help for Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes
If you or a loved one was the victim of nursing home abuse, you may be entitled to compensation. Money awarded in a nursing home lawsuit can help pay for medical expenses and bring peace of mind, knowing that justice was served.
The Nursing Home Abuse Center is dedicated to helping victims of nursing home neglect, abuse, and wrongful death. Contact us now to find out if we can help you and your family.
