Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Actions to Take

If you suspect elder abuse, or are concerned about the well-being or safety of an older person, report it. Seek medical attention immediately if the circumstances require it. The next step is to contact the local police and your state abuse hotline in order to investigate the complaint. Family members should also seek an attorney in the case of criminal abuse of the elderly.

What to Look For

Elder abuse refers to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. While the specificity of laws varies from state to state, abuse may be defined as follows:

• Physical Abuse - The use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment. Threatening to inflict physical pain or injury on a vulnerable elder or depriving them of a basic need.
• Emotional or Psychological Abuse - Infliction of anguish, pain, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts.
• Sexual Abuse - Non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person.
• Exploitation - Illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder.
• Neglect - Refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder.
• Abandonment - The desertion of an elderly person by an individual who has assumed responsibility for providing care for an elder, or by a person with physical custody of an elder.

Read more on other signs to look for if you suspect abuse or neglect of your loved one...

Who to contact if you suspect abuse

Supervising/Monitoring Organizations
 

Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Resource Center

The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Resource Center for the elderly and their families offers information to help the elderly and their families prevent, recognize, and stop nursing home abuse and neglect.

Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (CANE)

CANE (Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly) is the nation's largest archive of published research, training resources, government documents, and other sources on elder abuse. The database contains more than 5,000 holdings of references pertaining to the many facets of elder mistreatment.

Sponsored by the National Center on Elder Abuse

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