Abuse of residents at nursing homes is a heinous act, but unfortunately it does occur. It causes pain, fear and in the worst cases death to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. That’s why it’s extremely important to identify the signs that abuse may be occurring to your loved one as soon as possible.
The signs of nursing home abuse are often difficult to notice because the abused are often too frightened to identify their abuser. In most cases it’s up to those most familiar with the resident, and the resident’s normal behavior, to realize abuse may be occurring.
It’s also important to recognize when abuse takes the form of neglect. For example, if your loved one has several injures from falls, it may indicate he or she has been left unattended for too long without proper care and supervision.
Here are some signs that may be cause for concern:
- Sudden weight loss
- Unexplained injuries
- Changes in mood and personality
- Fear of speaking freely around certain staff members
A nursing home could also be held liable for a resident’s injury or medical condition if it resulted from certain situations or conditions which might include environmental dangers, understaffing, medication errors or inadequate security and training methods.
If you believe a nursing home is providing substandard care or harming your loved one for any reason, it’s time to act. Call Elliott & Smith at 479-JUSTICE (587-8423). We’ll go through your case and all your options.
