Elder abuse is a frequent, and tragic, occurrence in elder care facilities, like nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Recently, we’ve seen a startling rise in nursing home abuse reports, including a shocking episode in Buffalo, NY, in which 17 nursing home employees were accused by the State Attorney General’s Office of abusing residents, read the article here. Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are not immune from this disturbing trend. In a recent case of financial material exploitation, an employee of a nursing home in West Chester, Pennsylvania was sentenced to prison for stealing jewelry from elderly female patients.

Preventing Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect In Pennsylvania

When most of us think about our elderly loved ones being abused and neglected, our minds first turn to physical & sexual abuse. All of us, both in Philadelphia and elsewhere, must remain vigilant for the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, and be prepared to report troubling signs when we see them.

What Is Nursing Home Abuse?

Elder care abuse is defined as the improper use of physical force against residents of a nursing home or assisted living facility. Physical abuse may include:

• Hitting
• Shoving
• Shaking
• Slapping
• Kicking
• Pinching
• Burning
• Force-feeding

Read our Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse FAQ to familiarize yourself with what to look out for when you visit your loved one in an elder care facility.

What Is Nursing Home Neglect?

Elder neglect is defined as the denial or failure to provide any of the services that a nursing professional is obligated to provide within the purview of their position. Most commonly, nursing home neglect includes failure to provide:

• Food
• Water
• Clothing
• Proper hygiene
• Medications
• Safety

The signs of nursing home neglect can range from dehydration to a hazardous living environment. To learn more visit our Common Signs of Nursing Home Neglect FAQ.

Financial Exploitation & Emotional Abuse In Philadelphia Nursing Homes

But two other, tragically under-reported phenomena contribute to the elder abuse epidemic our nation now faces.  Financial exploitation and emotional and psychological abuse can be just as debilitating to elderly nursing home residents in Pennsylvania as sexual and physical abuse or neglect. Both are absolutely illegal in Pennsylvania, and warrant punishments just as severe as those for nursing professionals found guilty of physically abusing their patients.

What Is Financial Exploitation?

The National Center on Elder Abuse defines financial or material exploitation of a nursing home resident as “the illegal or improper use of an elder’s funds, property, or assets.” These activities may include cashing an elderly person’s checks without permission, forging their signature on financial documents, or stealing their possessions.

Signs of Financial Exploitation In Pennsylvania’s Nursing Homes

Financial exploitation can be hard to spot because many elderly residents of Pennsylvania nursing homes wish, and have every right, to handle their own finances. In addition, many elderly people are intimidated by their abusers, and fear that making others aware of their abuse will only exacerbate the problem. If possible, regularly review your elderly loved one’s financial records. Be vigilant for these signs of financial or material exploitation:

• Sudden, unexplained withdrawals from their bank account
• Abrupt alterations of their will
• Disappearance of personal possessions
• Signs that substandard care is being provided, when available financial resources should provide for adequate care
• Unnecessary, or unagreed upon services being provided by a nursing professional

If you become aware of any of these signs, reach out to an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Philadelphia to review your legal options.

What Are Emotional & Psychological Abuse?

Emotional and psychological abuse often accompany physical abuse in nursing homes, as elderly residents fall into depression and other disturbed emotional states during the course of their abuse. But emotional abuse can occur on its own, and does regularly.

Emotional abuse may be the hardest form of nursing home abuse to recognize, because some change in mood is to be expected as our elderly loved ones age. Most psychological abuse occurs as one of the following:

• verbal insults
• threats
• harassment
• humiliation

Additionally, nursing home employees have been known to treat elderly people like infants, isolate them from their loved ones, and force them to remain isolated from their fellow residents in a nursing home.

Signs Of Emotional & Psychological Abuse In Pennsylvania’s Elder Care Facilities

Medical conditions that affect mood, like dementia and Alzheimer’s, are common among the patients of Pennsylvania’s elder care facilities. But these disorders often cause many of the same symptoms that may also be signs of emotional or psychological abuse, making it inherently difficult to know precisely what is causing your elderly loved one’s distress. Knowing the difference can be difficult for those without specialized medical education.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, which means that an elder’s brain structure and chemistry change over time, and symptoms like cognitive impairment generally appear as a long, steady decline.  Thus, in watching for symptoms of emotional abuse, one should be particularly watchful for sudden changes in an elderly loved one’s mood, because the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s rarely appear out of the blue. Symptoms of emotional and psychological abuse may include:

• Emotional distress
• Increased agitation
• Withdrawal from loved ones, unwillingness to communicate
• Unusual behaviors like rocking or sucking

If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse Or Neglect In Philadelphia

If you have become aware of any of the signs of elder abuse and neglect mentioned in this article, bring up your concerns with the administration of your loved one’s elder care facility. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are legally obligated to address any complaints of abuse and neglect. If they respond in an unsatisfactory manner, you may file a complaint with the state agency that oversees elder care facilities in Pennsylvania.

To learn more, visit our What To Do If You Suspect Elder Abuse Or Neglect FAQ.

Contact A Pennsylvania Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

In addition, it may be in your loved one’s best interests to contact a Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawyer. Many cases of elder abuse, especially those involving financial exploitation, eventually necessitate legal proceedings. The lawyers at PA Nursing Home Lawyers are dedicated to representing the victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in Pennsylvania.