Entrusting your vulnerable loved one to the care of a nursing home facility is one of the most challenging decisions families can face. You do everything you can to ensure the facility you choose is the right fit and provides the best care for your family member. The last thing you should need to worry about is that your loved one is being neglected or abused by their caregivers.
It is essential to pay close attention and look for early warning signs of abuse. If you suspect that your loved one or any nursing home resident is suffering from neglect or abuse, speak up.
At Rosen Injury Law, our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers can help you protect your loved one and hold at-fault parties accountable for damages. Call (954) 787-1500 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation.
Warning Signs of Physical Abuse
Any bruise or mark should be questioned. While nursing home facilities may try to explain these signs as typical signs of aging or of a legitimate fall, you should ask follow-up questions about exactly how the mark occurred.
For example, some areas of the body, such as an inner arm or leg, do not typically bruise from a fall. While a bruise in that area may have a legitimate cause, you should not accept an explanation that does not make sense. You should ask the nursing home employees to explain why there is a bruise on that area of the body.
The same is true for any bone fractures that occur. Aging patients may sustain fractures for valid reasons. However, all injuries should have a reasonable explanation. If the explanation does not make sense, you should be concerned. Look for defensive injuries such as bruising on the hands or forearms. Marks around the wrists or ankles could be signs of restraint, which should be used only in specific situations and with proper authorization.
If your loved one seems fearful, anxious, withdrawn, or agitated around certain staff members, you should pay close attention and ask questions.
Warning Signs of Emotional Abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse can be more challenging to detect. However, this type of abuse can be just as devastating as physical abuse.
Some nursing home patients exhibit infantile behaviors like rocking, sucking, or biting when in severe distress. Unexplained sleeping or eating patterns can be a sign of emotional abuse. And if your loved one shows sudden personality changes, becomes overly anxious, or depressed, you should look for answers.
Warning Signs of Financial Abuse
If your loved one’s bills are not being paid, or if the facility claims they need expensive items that you never see, you should be concerned about financial abuse. You should also watch out for any new acquaintances who seem overly interested in your loved one’s finances, or anyone new that your loved one begins to purchase gifts for.
Warning Signs of Neglect
Neglect is the most common form of mistreatment in nursing homes. Watch out for bedsores, soiled linens, dirty hair, body odor, and unwashed clothing.
Neglect also manifests as unexplained weight loss, dry mouth, sunken eyes, and decreased urine output. If your loved one displays poor hygiene, malnutrition, or other signs of neglect, you should take immediate action to protect them.
Schedule a Free Consultation At Rosen Injury Law
If you see early warning signs of abuse, do not wait to act. If your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home facility, we want to help you.
Our experienced nursing home and elder abuse attorneys have the skills and resources to help protect your family member and secure maximum compensation from the negligent or wrongful parties. Call (954) 787-1500 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation.