When you trust your elderly parent or family member to the care of a nursing home facility, you rely on the caretakers in that facility to provide your loved one with respect and care. While some facilities certainly live up to their promises, a staggering number of nursing home facilities abuse or neglect their residents. Sometimes abuse victims show obvious symptoms of abuse or tell their families about the poor treatment they’re receiving. However, many victims of abuse keep quiet, either out of fear or a misplaced concern about inconveniencing their families.
If you suspect your loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse make sure you know the symptoms to look for and what to do in response.
Recognizing Nursing Home Abuse
Elders can be abused in a number of ways, including physically, emotionally, financially, sexually, and through negligence. Each of these different types of abuse can result in different types of warning signs.
Physical Abuse
- Bruises
- Unexplained cuts
- Loss of hair
- Broken bones
- Marks on wrists and ankles from restraints
- Mood swings
- Unreasonable anger
Emotional Abuse
- Defensiveness
- Unexplained anger
- Mood swings and changes in behavior
Financial Abuse
- Sudden, unexplained expenses
- Change to wills, trusts, and other important documents
- Reoccurring monetary “gifts”
Sexual Abuse
- Mood swings
- Behavioral changes
- Bruising near the breasts, hips, or thighs
- Unexplained infections or STDs
- Pain sitting or walking
Neglect
- Malnourishment
- Dehydration
- Lack of clean clothes
- Poor hygiene
- Lack of necessities
- Bedsores
- Untreated injuries or illnesses
In any type of abusive situation, victims might also show significant behavioral changes, mood swings, and unexplained anger. Sometimes abuse victims indicate fear or concern about one individual in particular, or they might ask you to keep one nurse, caretaker, or doctor away from them.
What Can You Do?
If you suspect your loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse, there are steps you can take to protect them and seek justice against their abuser(s). First, try discussing the situation with your loved one. Reassure them that you want to help and you need to know the truth in order to get them out of a potentially dangerous situation. You might also consider discussing the issue with the nursing home staff or facility manager first before proceeding. Your loved one might simply be angry or confused about a medical treatment they received. However, it is important that you investigate and never brush any suspicions off without first doing what you can do learn the truth.
When you suspect abuse, take your loved one out of their current care facility immediately. If necessary, take them to see a doctor you trust to have them examined or treated for any injuries or illnesses. Once the medical concerns have been addressed, contact an elder abuse attorney for legal help. An experienced nursing home abuse lawyer can ask you all of the right questions, guiding you through each step in the legal process as you fight for justice and compensation for your loved one.
Contact the Law Offices of Vic Feazell, P.C. today to get started.