Cleveland Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

It is hard to believe that anyone could abuse a vulnerable elderly person, but it happens. Unfortunately, this is one of the most understudied areas of crime in the US. According to the CDC, there are over 16,000 nursing homes in the country–a number that will surely grow as the average age of the population shifts upwards.

Nursing home abuse takes many forms and can be is both physical and non-physical:

• Physical Abuse – This includes any kind of contact intended to cause pain or intimidation to a resident (punching, slapping, choking, shoving, kicking, etc.). This can include sexual abuse, which is any unwanted sexual contact between staff and residents.
• Financial abuse – In many cases, the nursing home staff has access to sensitive resident information, including financial account information and identification. This can lead to staff or volunteers misusing a resident’s money or stealing their identity.
• Insurance Fraud – It is possible that nursing home management is billing a resident’s insurance company for procedures, therapy, medication, or equipment that has never been used or administered.
• Negligence – Basic needs must be met for every resident. This includes providing clothing, food, medications, medical care, and regular bathing. Failing to provide these things is neglect and abuse.

Always be on the lookout for signs of abuse when you visit your loved ones. Look for any bruises, marks, or changes in behavior. Often, the person who is being abused cannot, or is afraid to, communicate what has happened to them. Be involved and inspect finances and other paperwork. If you suspect something is wrong, call the police.