Nursing home abuse occurs when a staff member or caregiver intentionally causes harm or fails to provide necessary care to a resident. The abuse can take many forms, some of which may be difficult to detect immediately. Common types of nursing home abuse include:

• Physical abuse: Any use of force that causes injury, pain, or impairment. This includes hitting, slapping, pushing, or excessive restraint.
• Emotional or psychological abuse: Actions that cause fear, anxiety, or emotional distress, such as verbal threats, humiliation, or isolation.
• Sexual abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact with a resident, including inappropriate touching or forced sexual acts.
• Financial abuse: Exploiting a resident for financial gain, such as stealing money or belongings, forging signatures, or manipulating the resident to change legal documents like wills or powers of attorney.
• Neglect: Failure to provide proper care, leading to harm or danger to the resident. This can involve inadequate medical care, failure to assist with daily living activities, or failure to provide adequate food, water, or hygiene. 

The emotional toll of nursing home abuse is often as severe as the physical injuries. Victims may feel helpless, afraid, or embarrassed to speak out. It’s critical to ensure that those responsible for this mistreatment are held accountable.