It is not always easy to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect. Many residents are either incapable or afraid to say they are the victim of abuse. As such, many cases go unreported. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, it is important to learn what to look for in order to spot any potential abuse and neglect.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Nursing home abuse happens when a caretaker or someone else at the facility causes a resident physical harm or mental suffering on purpose. Neglect is also a form of abuse. Neglect occurs when nursing home staff fail to provide food, water, clothing, or required medications to a resident. This neglect of basic care can also lead to injury and suffering.
What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?
Usually, nursing home abuse and neglect will not take place when a family member or friend is present to witness it. Combine that with the reluctance of the nursing home resident to report the abuse, and it becomes even more necessary for you to familiarize yourself with the warning signs.
These warning signs include:
- Poor nutrition and dehydration, including noticeable weight loss
- Errors made when administering medication
- Unexplained injuries, such as broken bones, bruises, and cuts
- Frequent, unexplained falls
- Nursing home staff members refusing or delaying the family’s visits to the resident
- Abandonment, such as allowing residents to wander off
- Preventable infections in cuts and other open wounds, and if serious enough, hospitalization due to the infection
- Depression, anxiety, or other sudden behavioral changes in your loved one
- Trouble walking or sitting or bruising around the thigh or genital area could be a sign of sexual abuse. This is sometimes accompanied by emotional withdrawal.
- In extreme cases, the abuse can lead to sudden unexplained death.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Loved One Was the Victim of Nursing Home Abuse
If your loved one who lives in a nursing home is showing signs of abuse, you should immediately contact a lawyer with experience handling suspected nursing home abuse. Additionally, you should take the following steps:
- Keep a log of suspected abuse. Document when the abuse occurred, what the injuries were, as well as any other pertinent information.
- Take photos of visible injuries and any other evidence of poor conditions at the nursing home.
- Obtain all records from the nursing home and any other medical provider that treated your loved one for their injuries.
- Strongly consider having your loved one treated and evaluated for their suspected injuries outside the nursing home facility. From there, you may need to consider switching nursing homes or having them temporarily live with a family member while your abuse case is pending.
- If necessary, contact the local authorities to file an official complaint against the nursing home/staff member(s).
How a Tampa Estate Lawyer Can Help
The reality that your loved one has been abused at the nursing home facility you trusted to care for them can be overwhelming. That’s why you should contact a Tampa estate lawyer who is adept at handling these sensitive matters. If you have questions or need guidance about your situation, please feel free to contact us at (813) 438-8503 for assistance.