Abuse in Care Homes

Care Home Abuse can occur in many forms. Physical, sexual or mental/emotional abuse. Physical abuse could happen through medication being used inappropriately, food being force fed to a patient, shaking, pushing or slapping of a resident. Mental or emotional abuse can happen through verbal assaults on residents, humiliation or embarrassment. And non verbal actions, such as isolating a resident from others, treating an elderly person like a child, ignoring them or making them feel a burden. Sexual abuse is any kind of sexual contact that the person has not consented to. Rape, coerced nudity, touching and taking sexually explicit photos are all forms of sexual abuse.

Some of the signs that could indicate abuse in a care home are:

• Fractures or broken bones, other wounds
• Changes in behaviour that are sudden and out of character
• Weight loss
• Resident not being able to see visitors on their own without a member of staff present
• Depression and withdrawal
• Unwillingness to communicate
• Disorientation, confusion

There are National Minimum Standards for Nursing and Care Homes for older people.

Contact Precision Claims

If you think someone you care about may be a victim of care home abuse call one of our team on 0844 704 1945 or complete the online enquiry form and we will give you a call you back to discuss.