It is an ugly fact that no one really likes to talk about. Across the country, elderly individuals face abuse in a variety of situations. The problem is so prevalent that about 10% of elderly individuals have experienced some level of mistreatment. If you have an elderly loved one in a nursing home, this can be one of the most alarming statistics to face. Most people think of elder abuse as only physical, but this kind of abuse can happen on multiple levels. Here is a more defined look at the different types of nursing home abuse you must be on the lookout for beyond just physical abuse. 

Financial Abuse

Elderly individuals are highly at risk for financial abuse when they are in a nursing home, which is why it is best if they do not keep any money of substantial value on hand and avoid keeping expensive personal property with them. While financial abuse may seem to be the least of your concerns, it can be devastating for an elderly individual to have their money stolen. Plus, financial abuse can involve things like stealing credit card or identity information, draining bank accounts, and other forms of almost fraudulent behavior by a caregiver. 

Sexual Abuse

Elder abuse of a sexual nature is more common than most people know or expect. Abuse occurs when they elderly individual is forced into sex or sexual acts without giving their consent. In a lot of cases, sexual abuse occurs when an elderly person cannot communicate well enough to alert someone that something is going on. However, this is not always the case, as older people can also be coerced or threatened into sexual activity by caregivers. It is not at all uncommon for sexual abuse and physical abuse to both be a problem concurrently. 

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse can be just as damaging to an elderly person as any other form of physical abuse. Emotional abuse can involve things like:

• demeaning the patient by making them feel humiliated
• calling a patient names or insulting them on a regular basis
• intimidating or terrorizing a patient to induce fear

Emotional abuse can be harder to catch than physical abuse because there may be no obvious signs. However, keeping close tabs on elderly individuals in a nursing home will help you pick up on any signs of changing behavior, which can be one of the biggest indicators of emotional abuse. Contact a firm such as Garrison Law Firm for more information.