What should I do if I believe my loved one is being abused in a nursing home?
Many of us watched in horror as images emerged following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma of elderly individuals sitting in flooded nursing homes without power. Sadly, nursing home abuse is astonishingly common in America today. Instances of nursing home abuse vary, but often including physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. If your loved one is in nursing home care, it is critical that you know the signs of nursing home abuse so that you can take action if you suspect abuse. Our New Jersey nursing home abuse lawyers at The Cassidy Law Firm discuss the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect below.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Some forms of nursing home abuse will be easy to recognize, while others are more insidious. You will be in the best position to recognize abuse of your loved one by making frequent, unexpected trips to the nursing home to visit. Talk to your loved one about the care they are receiving, if they are able to communicate, and look out for any of the following signs of abuse or neglect:
- Cuts
- Open wounds
- Bed sores
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Stained or torn clothes or bedsheets
- Missing items
- Hair loss
- Poor dental health
- A decline in mental or physical health
- Listlessness or confusion that might indicate overmedication
- Fear of a certain staff member or physical touch in general
- Changes in your loved one’s will or power of attorney
- Strange financial transactions
- Excessive thirst or hunger
These are only a few potential signs of abuse. If you as a relative suspect that your loved one is being abused, it is critical that you take swift action to protect your loved one. Report the abuse to a national center that can help. The National Center on Elder Abuse will provide you with resources. Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer for more assistance. Your attorney will evaluate the situation to determine whether you may have a viable claim against the nursing home or a staff member.