Nursing home abuse is more common than we want to believe. It is something few of us even want to think about. After all, we entrust our elderly loved one to the nursing home staff, believing he or she will be properly cared for.
However, according to the Nursing Home Abuse Guide, every year, more than two million cases of elder abuse are reported. This means that approximately 1 of every 10 elderly individuals will experience some form of elder abuse in their lifetime. Sadly, many cases of nursing home abuse go unnoticed and/or underreported.
LOOK FOR THE SIGNS OF NURSING HOME ABUSE
If you believe your elderly loved one is dealing with nursing home abuse—or neglect—it is important to ensure their safety going forward. You may wonder how you will know if your loved one is being abused or neglected, or what signs to look for. In many cases, family members may think their loved one has developed dementia or Alzheimer’s or is simply not making sense. While it is true that signs of abuse and neglect can overlap with mental deterioration, any indication of such abuse or neglect should always be investigated.
Some of the most common signs of elder abuse include:
- Unexplained sprains, dislocations, or broken bones
- Unexplained bruises, cuts, welts, or scars
- Any sign of restraint, such as marks on the wrists and ankles
- Broken eyeglasses
- Failure to take medications properly
- Reluctance of nursing home staff to allow you to be alone with your loved one
- Unusual behaviors including rocking and mumbling
- Belittling, controlling, or threatening behaviors from nursing home staff
- Unexplained STDs or other types of genital infections
- Bruising near the genitals or breasts
- Stained, bloody, or torn underwear
Some of the most common signs of nursing home neglect include:
- Unsafe living conditions
- Being unsuitably dressed
- Dehydration
- Sudden weight loss
- Poor hygiene
- Soiled bedclothes
- Wearing dirty clothing
- Bedsores
As older people become frail or experience a decrease in cognitive function, they are less able to resist bullying behavior or fight back when physically or verbally attacked. An elderly person may not be able to see, hear, or think as well as they once did. These physical and mental limitations make them much more susceptible to nursing home abuse.
When your loved one is being abused, your first priority should be to prevent further abuse from occurring. An experienced and skilled nursing home abuse lawyer can help protect your loved one from further abuse while investigating the incident closely. If your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, your attorney can help you take legal action against the responsible parties.
CONTACT OUR PHOENIX NURSING HOME ABUSE LAWYERS
If you suspect nursing home abuse is harming your loved one, then it is extremely important to speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At Miller Kory Rowe LLP, our Phoenix nursing home abuse lawyers can help you hold the negligent institution and caregiver accountable for their actions. Contact us today at (602) 648-4045 for a free initial consultation and review of your case. We are here when you need us the most.