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Physical abuse is typically one of the most recognizable forms of nursing home abuse. It is any violent act taken on a resident. Examples of physical abuse include hitting, kicking, biting, burning, shoving, and slapping.

Psychological or emotional abuse is much more subtle but no less damaging. Emotional abuse occurs when a caregiver inflicts mental harm on a resident using verbal or nonverbal threats. Talking down to a resident, humiliating them, shouting and being verbally aggressive, making threats, and using degrading language to chip away at a person’s mental health can be psychological abuse.

Unfortunately, sexual abuse is an underreported crime in nursing homes. This fact is partially due to sexual abusers targeting cognitively impaired individuals who cannot communicate about the abuse. Sexual abuse is any form of unwanted sexual contact or contact that occurs with a person unable to consent. Rape, fondling, touching, forced nudity, taking sexually explicit photos or videos, and forcing a resident to watch explicit material are all common examples of sexual abuse.

Financial abuse is another type of abuse that gets overlooked and underreported. Financial abuse occurs when a caregiver exploits a vulnerable individual for financial gain. Financial abuse can happen through theft of personal property or stealing a resident’s debit or credit card. Financial abuse can also occur if a caregiver forges checks or involves a resident in investment or pyramid schemes.

This is the neglect of a resident’s medical needs. Medical neglect includes failing to administer medications, improper wound care, failing to treat sores and infections, and failing to seek proper treatment for medical conditions.

This is the failure of a nursing home to provide a resident with life’s basics, such as food, water, climate control, and a safe environment.

This is the failure of a nursing home to provide a resident with clean clothes, clean bed linens, dental care, and bathing.

If your loved one is in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately for help.

Reporting abuse to the nursing home management can be a good first step as it establishes a paper trail outlining the abuse. It also allows the nursing home the opportunity to address and correct the problem. Family members should file a complaint in writing with the nursing home and keep a copy for their records. The complaint needs to include factual and specific instances of abuse, including the names of those involved and the names of potential witnesses. Although it can be difficult, avoid peppering your statement with emotion. Stick to the facts.

A formal complaint should also include a resolution request. In other words, ask the nursing home what the plan is for investigating and addressing the situation. You will also need to supply your contact information and a deadline for the nursing home to reach out to you with their findings.

Although many nursing homes want to do right by their residents and keep them safe, others will be resistant to investigating claims of abuse and neglect. Nursing homes with a record of abuse or neglect risk losing their federal funding and may face steep fines. These consequences can be enough for facilities to cover up claims of abuse.

A long-term care ombudsman is a third-party advocate for the rights of the residents living in long-term care facilities like nursing homes. These individuals help residents and their families address complaints about caregivers, nursing home staff, and long-term care facilities. They give a strong voice to residents while providing emotional support and comfort.

If you are concerned about an elderly family member, you may also be able to turn to the New Jersey Adult Protective Service Providers. Each county of the state has a branch you can contact to report your concerns.

The Eldercare Locator is a service provided by the U.S. Administration on Aging. It is an online tool that helps connect families and nursing home residents with advocacy services in their area. They also provide individuals with a wealth of information on elder rights and abuse prevention.

If your loved one’s nursing home accepts Medicare, you may also be able to file a complaint directly with the federal government through the Medicare system. Medicare provides a Quality Improvement Organization program dedicated to improving the health and quality of elderly healthcare. Complaints addressing violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act and quality of care concerns can be submitted by mail or fax.

Determining who can be held liable for nursing home abuse and neglect can be challenging. Liability depends on the circumstances of the resident’s situation. In some cases, the individuals committing the abusive acts can be held responsible for the abuse or neglect of a resident. In many cases, the nursing home itself may be vicariously liable for employees’ wrongdoing.

If you are interested in learning more about nursing home abuse and neglect claims, contact our experienced New Jersey nursing home abuse attorneys. We can help uncover whether the abuse is occurring due to the actions of one negligent individual or whether the abuse results from systemic problems with hiring, training, or chronic understaffing on the part of the nursing home.