Nursing home abuse is sadly becoming more prevalent throughout the nation. When we entrust our loved ones to a nursing home, we expect them to receive quality care. We never anticipate that they will suffer from abuse or neglect at the hands of their caretakers. This is the sad reality most elders face every day. Nursing home abuse can be caused intentionally or unintentionally, which can result in trauma, medical emergencies, and even death. Nursing home abuse can also happen due to staffing issues, improper training, and staff burnout. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stop nursing home abuse before it starts. If the abuse has already occurred, there are also steps you can take to minimize the harm.
Different Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Learning about the different types of nursing home abuse is essential to learn just how common the problem is. This is especially true if you have a loved one in a nursing home facility or another type of care facility. According to Nursing Home Abuse Justice, roughly 85% of assisted living facilities reported at least once case of abuse or neglect. When nursing home abuse is thought of, physical injuries tend to come into the mind. However, nursing home abuse can include other forms of abuse that may not always be physical. Other forms of abuse include:
- Neglect
- Sexual Assault
- Emotional Harm
- Financial Abuse
- Improper Nutrition
- Medication Errors
While some of these types of nursing home abuse may not leave physical marks, they are just are harmful. Some can severely affect the quality of your loves one’s life. Keeping a close eye on your loved one in a nursing home or care facility is the best way to help with their safety.
How to Spot Nursing Home Abuse
Spotting the signs of nursing home abuse is essential to protect your loved one and prevent more harm from being done. Some signs of nursing home abuse can be clear like bruising, cuts, rashes, etc. But, some signs of abuse can be less visual like emotional abuse, financial, etc. Some signs of nursing homes abuse to look out for include:
- Bruises
- Cuts
- Bedsores
- Dehydration
- Altered mental state
- Unexplained weight loss
- Broken bones
If you notice these signs present on your loved one or another person, you should speak to legal help immediately. Keeping a watchful eye for these signs may just help ensure the safety of your loved one or another.
How You Can Help Stop Nursing Home Abuse?
If there is ever a life-threatening emergency, the first thing you should do is to always call 911. If you observe signs of nursing home abuse on your loved one, you should contact the proper authorities immediately. Brining up your concerns quickly can help more harm from being done. If you are unsure is there is abuse present but suspect it to be happening, contacting the appropriate authorities is the best way also. Many cases of nursing home abuse go undetected, but by watching out for warning signs, you may help prevent harm. Remember to keep an eye out for the signs of abuse, and always check in with your loved one. If necessary, consider changing nursing homes if you suspect abuse is occurring.
McCune Law Group Fights for Those Who Cannot
The nursing home neglect attorneys of McCune Law Group are fully committed to seeking justice for the injured and their families. Those who take advantage of senior citizens in their care deserve to be held responsible for their actions. With decades of experience and an impressive record of results, the attorneys of McCune Law Group are a respected choice for legal counsel in cases of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Protecting those who cannot fight for themselves is essential. McCune Law Group is prepared to pursue compensation for your loved ones who have fallen victim. Call (909) 345-8110 today to discuss your case with our caring Nursing Home Abuse attorneys.