Nursing Convalescent Homes - Nursing Abuse Signs

weight loss

pressure sores

signs of malnutrition or dehydration

rapid weight loss

open wounds

welts and bruises

unexplained injuries

frequent falls

burns

urine or fecal odors

unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding

torn, bloody, and/or stained under clothing

depression

withdrawn – not wanting to participate in activities, not wanting to visit with friends and family

sudden behavior change (sometimes regressing to sucking, biting, rocking)

the loved one is upset or "on edge" (i.e., agitated)

staff refuses visits or perhaps try to delay visits

sudden changes in your loved one’s will or financial affairs (e.g., unexplained or large withdrawals from bank account)

loved one is frequently ill

An observed failure to provide a safe environment (this includes adequate food, shelter, medical attention, etc).

Observing residents being ignored or otherwise neglected – call buttons not answered, residents not getting out of bed or leaving room, residents laying in their own urine or feces, residents not being bathed as needed, etc.

Unreasonable physical restraint or sedation.

Over or under medication.

Your loved one reports abusive activity.

The staff don’t allow the residents to be alone with visitors.

Resident loses possessions (theft).

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does include some of the more common and easily seen signs. Keep in mind that you won’t always be able to see the outward physical signs (e.g., like welts). Sometimes the resident is being abused psychologically and emotionally. This is just as damaging, but there isn’t physical evidence.

What does psychological and emotional abuse include? It may include things like threats, humiliation, putting down the resident, making the resident think she’s worthless, unnecessary control of a resident’s day to day living, forcing the resident to remain in her room, intimidation, and more.

In cases of psychological and emotional abuse you will need to rely on your loved one’s reports, your observations of how the individual staff members interact with the residents, as well as your sensitivity to behavior changes. Your loved one may become withdrawn, fearful, depressed, or even angry. In general, sudden changes in behavior are red flags that you’ll want to follow up on to determine the cause.

Even if you don’t see signs of financial, emotional, physical, sexual or other types of abuse and neglect, please keep in mind that things do change. Staff turnovers and new residents moving in may create an abusive environment in the nursing home that didn’t exist before.

Main Signs of Nursing Abuse

Listed below are the main nursing abuse signs to look for: