Recently, a nursing home caregiver at Florence, Nadia Ann Freeman, was indicted on second degree abuse & neglect for “intentionally” physically attacking an 89-year-old resident, suffering from dementia. Freeman is charged with “slapping” the elderly woman twice in the stomach, grabbing her arm and causing bruises and tears on her forearms. She is blamed for antagonizing the victim, which is a clear case of nursing home abuse. Incidents like this are a clear case of nursing home abuse against the elderly.
Physical abuse is one of the most report forms of Kentucky nursing home abuse. It denotes the use of aggression and physical force that may cause physical injury or impairment. Acts of violence, such as kicking, hitting, pushing, shaking, slapping, pulling hair, pinching, striking, choking, or burning, are a few examples of physical abuse in nursing homes that can cause pain or injury to the victims. Reckless driving, physical punishment, forced feeding, and physical restraint are other forms of physical violence against the elderly residents.
Signs and Symptoms
Unfortunately, many seniors have had to undergo physical abuse in Kentucky nursing homes by people responsible for their care. Statistics reveal that more than half a million abuse incidents against elderly residents are reported in the U.S. every year.
Signs and Symptoms
- Open wounds, untreated injuries, cuts
- Bruises, lacerations, black eyes, scratches, rope marks
- Bone fractures, skull fractures
- Bleeding, internal injuries, dislocations, sprains
- Drug overdose
- Under utilization of prescribed drugs
- Broken eyeglasses
- Bites, head trauma, bald spots, hair pulls
- Caregiver’s refusal to allow family members to visit an elderly resident
- Physical violence in nursing homes is the most common form of abuse in long-term care facilities that can cause even more pain and suffering to the elderly.
Physical Violence Among Residents
A 92-year old male patient of Kentucky nursing home died recently due to the fatal injuries sustained from a fight with another resident. As a result, he suffered cardiac arrest and died.
Resident to resident violence is another form of Kentucky nursing home negligence, wherein one resident abuses the other, which may involve biting, hitting, or kicking, with devastating consequences.
Residents taking medication for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or psychological issues can indulge in physical violence under the influence of such drugs.
Ongoing conflicts, understaffing, or overcrowding could be some of the causes of physical violence among residents. An understaffed assisted care facility could indirectly contribute to nursing home neglect. Unreasonable patient to staff ratio could be a cause for abuse of residents. Overworked staff members are more prone to stress and could vent their anger on residents, resulting in physical violence in nursing homes.
Staff must handle residents using appropriate techniques to ease the situation. These techniques may include:
- Rub the resident’s back
- Take them for a walk
- Distract their attention
- Listen to their frustrations
- Talk to them, ensuring they are being heard
- Take them away from the tense situation
- The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services requires long-term care facilities to design and develop policies and procedures prohibiting physical abuse, neglect, or involuntary seclusion of nursing home residents.
If you suspect that your loved one has been a victim of physical violence in nursing home, immediately seek legal assistance to hold the guilty liable for their unacceptable actions. It is important to speak up and seek explanation from the assisted living facility for not being able to duly perform its duty of care toward the elderly residents.
Get in touch with our experienced Kentucky nursing home abuse attorney for legal consultation at 1-800-632-1404 to find whether claims can be filed to fight for compensation for the pain and suffering your loved one has had to undergo at the long-term care facility. Contact us for a free evaluation.