Caring for elderly loved ones often means entrusting their day-to-day care and well-being to a nursing home or assisted living facility. While many facilities provide quality care, others may fall short, leaving elderly residents vulnerable to abuse or neglect. Sadly, many elderly residents struggle to report mistreatment. They may fear retaliation, suffer from memory issues like dementia, or simply lack the awareness to understand they've been abused or neglected. These problems make it important for family members and loved ones to stay vigilant, watch for warning signs, and step in to protect their well-being if something seems wrong.
Telltale Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse involves intentional harm inflicted by caregivers, staff, or even other residents within the facility. Abuse can take various forms, such as physical, emotional, sexual, social, or financial. Because this harm is often hidden from view, family members must identify the warning signs to intervene and possibly take legal action in response.
Key signs that nursing home abuse may be occurring include:
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, or burns
- Sudden changes in behavior or mood
- Fear or avoidance of certain staff members or residents
- Unexplained withdrawals from financial accounts or changes in legal documents
- Complaints of rough handling or inappropriate treatment
Telltale Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Unlike abuse, nursing home neglect stems from a failure to provide adequate care and meet a resident's basic needs, whether through oversight, understaffing, or inadequate training. Though neglect may not always be intentional, it can have devastating consequences for vulnerable residents and their quality of life.
Signs that neglect may be occurring include:
- Poor personal hygiene, such as unwashed hair or soiled clothing
- Worsening or untreated medical conditions
- Signs of malnutrition or dehydration
- Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions, like dirty bedding or pest infestations
- Bedsores or pressure ulcers from lack of mobility care
Actions to Take After Noticing a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse
Upon observing any signs of nursing home abuse or neglect, you may need to react quickly. The course of action will depend on the severity of the signs and the level of immediate danger posed to the resident, as well as what you suspect the cause of the harm might be. Overall, though, taking some form of action can be an important first step in protecting the health and well-being of your loved one.
If you suspect an elderly loved one has been abused or neglected in their nursing home, your reaction might include:
- Documenting evidence: Carefully record all observable signs. Take photographs of injuries, note dates and times of concerning incidents, and keep a journal describing what you’ve noticed.
- Seeking immediate help for serious issues: If the resident is in immediate danger of physical harm, remove them from the facility and contact the local authorities or Adult Protective Services (APS) at once.
- Raising concerns: Speak with facility management and address your concerns directly in writing. Most nursing homes are legally required to investigate and respond to complaints.
- Seeking medical attention: For visible injuries or neglected health conditions, consult a doctor right away.
- Calling a lawyer: If the abuse or neglect seems intentional, serious, or persistent – or you aren’t sure what to do next – you should call a local nursing home abuse lawsuit attorney. With their legal counsel, you can learn if filing an injury claim is possible.
Use the Legal Services of Kershaw Talley Barlow Today
Protecting elderly loved ones in nursing homes requires vigilance, compassion, and action. Recognizing the warning signs of abuse or neglect could make a life-changing difference for a vulnerable family member who doesn’t have the capability to stand up for themselves. If you’ve noticed signs of mistreatment or are unsure what to do next, get legal help.
At Kershaw Talley Barlow, we are dedicated to helping families in Sacramento stand up for their loved ones and pursue justice against negligent or abusive nursing homes. Our compassionate and respected team understands the complexities of these cases and knows how to fight for full and fair compensation. In our history, we have resolved thousands of injury cases and secured more than $1 billion for past clients, so you can trust in our experience and talents as litigators.
Call (916) 520-6639 at any time to speak with our nursing home abuse lawsuit attorneys. We can arrange a free consultation to get you started at no cost to you.
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