How To Spot The Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse

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There may come a time in life when your elderly loved ones need more care than you are capable of providing them with, so you turn to a nursing home or senior care center for that extra support. They are trusted to look after your loved ones when they need care and support more than ever, and for the most part, the workers in these assisted living facilities have the residents’ best interests at heart. Unfortunately, there are times when this isn’t always the case, and sadly nursing home abuse is a thing. 

If you have an elderly family member or friend who is in a nursing home and you want to ensure that they are safe and being cared for correctly, that is well within your right. In this post, we are going to discuss some of the signs you need to look out for that could indicate your loved one is being abused or neglected.

Signs of physical abuse

Some of the common signs of physical abuse in elderly people include unexplained injuries, withdrawing from others, showing fear of their caregivers, appearing sleepy/sedated constantly, confined to their bed or chair, being inappropriate restrained, being depressed/anxious, and the inability to control their bladder/bowel movements. 

If you believe your loved one has suffered any form of physical abuse at their care center or nursing home, you should get in touch with nursing home abuse attorneys with many years’ combined experience to find out if you can seek legal action. 

Signs of emotional abuse

Abuse isn’t always physical and can be in the form of psychological abuse, like if the resident is being threatened, belittled or mocked, shouted at, criticized, ignored, controlled, or isolated. 

Emotional abuse is harder to recognize, but it could be happening to your loved one if they are nonresponsive or uncommunicative, they are visibly upset, or seem highly agitated. Other signs include if they show dementia-like behavior such as mumbling, rocking, or sucking. 

Signs of negligence

One of the main reasons you put an elderly family member in a nursing home is so that they can receive the proper care that you are unable to provide to them. It is the care homes obligation to perform round the clock care for their residents. Failure to do so is neglect and the consequences could prove to be fatal. 

Signs of neglect include unexplained injuries, poor personal hygiene, medication errors, loss of mobility, malnutrition and dehydration, and unsafe, dirty living conditions. 

What to do if you suspect nursing home abuse

Sadly, residents of nursing homes may not speak up about the abuse they have suffered for fear of the repercussions. This is why you need to look out for any signs of abuse, whether it’s physical, emotional, neglect, or any other kind. 

If you do suspect your loved one has been abused by a caregiver at a nursing home or senior care center, you should get in touch with Dennis Hernandez an attorney who specializes in this particular area who may be able to take legal action.

 

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