Making the decision to move an elderly loved one into a nursing home can be difficult for everyone involved, but knowing that they will be at a facility that can provide the care and attention necessary to live a fulfilling, safe, and healthy life is important. Trusting the facility with the care of your loved ones can be difficult and scary, but after touring and interviewing a number of facilities you want to be able to count on the location you chose. Unfortunately, there are many instances of elder abuse in nursing homes across the country, and knowing the signs to look for is an important way to make sure that your loved one is getting the care they need.
Suppose you suspect that your loved one is being subjected to abuse in a nursing home. In that case, you will benefit from connecting with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible to develop a strategy that will keep your elderly family member safe. These situations can be fraught with emotions and legal complexities, so partnering with a personal injury lawyer from the moment you first suspect an issue is one of the best ways to ensure that you take the right steps for a safe and positive outcome.
Contact 1-800-Injured Today To Connect With a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in W. Palm Beach
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. If you suspect that your loved one is suffering abuse in their nursing home, we encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible. Instead of needing to reach out to law firms on your own in the hopes of finding an attorney who is willing to take your case, we will connect you with a lawyer for a free consultation who is ready and willing to help. The stress and anxiety that comes with suspecting that your loved one is being abused can be devastating, and the process of finding an attorney can be frustrating. We are here to help.
Read more below about signs of nursing home abuse, and contact us as soon as possible to be connected with an attorney who is available to fight for the safety and rights of your loved one in an abusive situation.
Signs of Elderly Abuse in Nursing Homes
Suspecting that your elderly loved ones are being abused in a nursing home can be devastating, and we may even look for ways to rationalize or excuse red flags to avoid being confronted with the terrible truth. The best way to handle this situation is by partnering with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to get legal guidance every step of the way and to work towards a swift resolution. The following are just a few of the signs that you can look for if you are concerned about abuse.
Bedsores
Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are open wounds on the skin that are the result of prolonged pressure — in this case, due to staying in a bed for an extended period of time without adjusting position. These sores most often form in bony areas where there is more direct and concentrated pressure on the skin, such as the heels, hips, elbows, and tailbone.
Unexplained Injuries
If your loved one has been injured and the nursing home staff are unable to explain the injury, this may be a cause for concern. If there is a pattern of unexplained injuries, we encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible to connect with an attorney. Too often, we may overlook the warning signs while our loved ones suffer in an abusive or neglectful environment.
Drastic Changes in Behavior or Attitude
If you have noticed drastic changes in your loved one’s behavior or attitudes, such as increased combativeness or a desire to be isolated, this may indicate that there are external factors causing these shifts. There are many different reasons why an aging nursing home patient may have changes in their attitude, but this is another indicator to be aware of.
Signs of Malnutrition
Rapid weight loss or gain are both signs of improper diet, either due to overfeeding or a failure to provide adequate nutrition, and both should be taken seriously. If there is an underlying medical issue causing these shifts, it must be addressed, and if the staff is responsible for these changes, this must be looked into. Regardless of why the changes are happening, they must be examined and treated.
Dehydration
Dehydration is another serious problem that nursing home staff should not be allowed to explain away. When an elderly and vulnerable loved one is entrusted to the care of a nursing home, basic needs like hydration and nutrition are the absolute bare necessities, and a failure to provide these is a major red flag that requires a closer look.
Heavy Sedation
When a nursing home resident is a risk to their own safety, staff may sedate them for their health; however, this form of restraint should be used sparingly and conservatively. If you think that your loved one is being overly sedated, this may be a form of abuse, or it may be used to keep your loved one from communicating the abuse they are suffering.
Contact 1-800-Injured To Get Advice From an Experienced Nursing Home Attorney in West Palm Beach
When you suspect the worst, it is only natural to feel helpless and alone as you try to figure out how to get your loved one the support and care they need. Working with an attorney from the start can give you the support you need to gather evidence and build a strong case against the nursing home while formulating a long-term plan and identifying solutions to this issue. You should not go through this process alone. Nursing homes can be difficult to work with, especially when you suspect abuse, so partnering with a legal professional from the start can give you an advantage and help move you towards a swift resolution to this very serious problem.