Shrewsbury Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

While many nursing homes provide excellent care to their residents, far too many fall appallingly short. For some nursing facilities, the focus on the “bottom line” results in understaffed nursing homes with untrained and underpaid employees. Residents of these facilities can suffer terribly in their last days, due to neglect and abuse at the hands of their caregivers.

Understanding Elder Abuse

Elder abuse targets one of our most vulnerable populations and comes in many forms, including physical, emotional, and financial. By familiarizing yourself with the most common forms of nursing home abuse, you can recognize the early warning signs and help protect your loved ones.

Physical Elder Abuse

Physical elder abuse is the non-accidental use of physical force against an elderly individual. It may result in pain, impairment, or even death. Physical abuse also includes improper use of drugs or the unnecessary use of physical restraints. This type of abuse is often easy to identify through visible signs like bruises or other injuries.

Emotional Elder Abuse

Unfortunately, many nursing home residents are the unidentified victims of a far more insidious problem—emotional elder abuse. This may include verbal abuse or passive behaviors such as ignoring or isolating the elderly resident. Emotional abuse can leave residents in states of pain, distress, anxiety, or fear, and left unchecked, these emotional responses can trigger physical symptoms that drastically affect their overall health.

Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of elder abuse. While it is often perpetrated by family members or others known to the victim, it can also come at the hands of professional caregivers. Abusers may use their position of authority to extort money or gain the elderly resident’s trust to deplete their accounts.

Preventing Nursing Home Falls

As we age, our bodies weaken, our vision degenerates, and our balance diminishes. Elderly nursing home residents are particularly at risk of falls, which account for nearly 30% of injury deaths in senior citizens. Even seemingly mild falls can result in permanent injury or death.

When a resident moves into a nursing home, the facility is required to design a care plan that includes a fall risk assessment. This assessment determines what assistance the resident needs to move safely. Most falls in nursing homes are caused by caregiver negligence and factors such as poor lighting, wet floors, poorly fitted wheelchairs, or improper bed height.

Addressing Pressure Sores

Pressure sores, also known as bedsores, are alarmingly common in nursing homes and are often the result of inattentive care. These sores can cause immense pain, disability, and increase the risk of serious complications such as sepsis or gangrene.

Seeking Justice for Nursing Home Neglect

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to nursing home abuse or neglect, contact The Cassidy Law Firm LLC. Our experienced elder abuse and medical malpractice attorneys are here to investigate and address the problem immediately. Timely action ensures the appropriate care and treatment can be provided, and hidden complications can be identified before it’s too late to take legal action.

Contact Our New Jersey Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

The Cassidy Law Firm LLC is committed to holding negligent nursing homes accountable and protecting the rights of residents. If you suspect abuse or neglect, reach out today to discuss your options and secure justice for your loved ones.