Nursing Home Abuse Is Often Committed by Other Residents

When you leave a loved one in the care of a nursing facility, you trust that the care will be the best possible. You also expect your loved one to be kept safe from self-harm and harm caused by others.  Sadly, nursing home abuse is not an uncommon problem.  It can occur at the hands of other residents as well as staff.Nursing Home Abuse Is Not Only Committed by StaffElderly abuse in nursing homes isn't only committed at the hands of the nursing home staff. It is sometimes other residents who cause the most trouble. Despite the fact that it's not a nurse or doctor causing the problems and harm to your loved one, it is their responsibility to keep residents in line. If you find that they are not helping protect your loved one in his or her room, then you may have a case against the facility.

What Kinds of Elder Abuse Are There?

The National Center on Elder Abuse says that there are six kinds of elder mistreatment, ranging from emotional and physical abuse to sexual abuse, exploitation, abandonment, and neglect. Mistreatment is classified as being a sexual, verbal, or physically aggressive interaction between long-term care residents.

What Are the Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?

What is shocking is that about 20 percent of nursing home residents have experienced abused caused by another resident in the facility. There are some significant warning signs of this abuse, including bruises, broken bones, or burns. Changes in the activities they'll participate in or depression can be a sign as well. Nursing home staff abuse can also be identified by poor hygiene or bedsores.

Get Help for Your Loved One if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

If you even suspect that your loved one is suffering abuse by other residents or staff in a nursing home, our New York nursing home neglect attorneys can help.  

‍Contact us to schedule a consultation.Data Source: Medical Daily, "Elderly Abuse: In Nursing Homes, It May Not Be The Nurses But The Residents That Commit The Act," Justin Caba, accessed July 05, 2016