Abuse is usually defined as physical, mental, verbal, psychological or sexual abuse occurs when pain or harm is intentionally used to intimidate or dominate another. This can include corporal punishment, unreasonable seclusion and intimidation. Examples of abuse include:
- Physical abuse from a staff member, an intruder or a visitor from outside the facility, including hitting, pinching, shoving, force-feeding, scratching, slapping and spitting
- Psychological or emotional abuse, including berating, ignoring, ridiculing, cursing at a resident, or making threats of punishment or deprivation
- Sexual abuse, which includes improper touching or coercion to perform unwanted sexual acts
- Substandard care, which often results immobilization, incontinence, dehydration, pressure sores, depression or any combination of these
- Rough handling during care-giving, medicine administration or moving a resident
