You can be your loved one’s best advocate. You don’t need medical knowledge, infrastructure or time to provide around the clock care. You only need to understand the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Here are a few things that you should watch out for:
Nursing homes are responsible for responding to resident requests or needs promptly. If you notice that the requests of your loved one are taking a long time to be tended to, it might be a sign of elder abuse or neglect. Bring this concern to the attention of the nursing home staff.
Another tell-tale sign of abuse of an elder is unusual bruising. The elderly do bruise easily so all bruising isn't always abuse, but if you notice bruising that is not consistent with age or a treatment, report it immediately.
Bed sores are severe and all too common in nursing homes. Bed sores signify that your loved one is not being cleaned, rotated, or moved enough.
While sudden weight loss can be expected with the elderly, it can also be one of the most common signs of elder abuse in nursing homes. If there is not medical explanation for the weight loss, talk to your loved one about the care they are receiving.
Many nursing home residents develop diseases that make it hard for them to know where they are at times. No matter how difficult it can be to take care of them, they should never be left to wonder. If you visit a loved one in a nursing home and see this repeatedly- we recommend keeping a closer eye on the care of your loved one.
Medical errors can be deadly. If you notice that your loved one isn't receiving the medicine they need, or there was an error that caused them harm, it is one of the signs of elder abuse.
We work on a contingency basis for personal injury claims such as nursing home abuse. A contingency fee basis means we do not charge you anything unless we win a settlement in or out of court. This fee structure ensures we work hard for your case and that you don't have even more out-of-pocket expenses during a stressful time. We also offer contingency fee schedules for other practice areas, such as:
The list above is by no means exhaustive. Your gut can be one of the most vital indicators. If you believe something is wrong, ask questions, keep a record and get advice from a lawyer.