How to Spot Nursing Home Abuse
When you or a loved one needs around-the-clock care, you may rely on a nursing home for that care. Unfortunately, not every nursing home is a safe place for you or your family member.
Now, you may suspect nursing home abuse suffered by a loved one. But how do you spot the signs? If you’re not sure, you may need to seek help from a nursing home abuse lawyer. Check out the tips below to learn how to spot nursing home abuse, and remember you can seek help for your legal claim.
Physical Injuries
One of the more visible types of nursing home abuse is physical abuse. Physical abuse includes hitting, slapping, kicking, or other physical attacks to injure nursing home residents. They may be unable to defend themselves against physical attacks, which makes it harder to get help.
If you believe your loved one is facing physical abuse, look for signs of bruises, broken bones, and other injuries. While some injuries may stem from falls or other accidents, in other cases, they could mean your loved one is dealing with abuse.
Signs of Mental Trauma
Abuse doesn’t have to have physical effects to have a negative impact on your loved one. Psychological abuse can impact their ability to enjoy life, making them fearful for their health and safety. This type of abuse may include shouting, belittling, or threatening nursing home residents, among other things.
Psychological abuse can be more difficult to spot because it doesn’t leave physical marks. Your loved one may instead show signs of psychological abuse by being more fearful and quieter. They may also seem isolated from other residents. If you notice these signs, you may need to talk to a nursing home abuse lawyer about their treatment.
Financial Abuse
Some nursing homes may have some access to the finances of their residents. Unfortunately, some nursing home staff members may use that opportunity to financially abuse the residents. This type of abuse includes stealing cash or goods from the nursing home residents, misuse of credit cards, identity theft, and more.
Spotting Neglect
If your loved one isn’t getting the care they need, you may notice signs of neglect. For example, you may notice their clothes are unclean, their hair is unkempt, or they have lost weight.
Bedsores are a serious sign of neglect. These pressure sores are painful wounds that can develop when a person is left in one position for too long. If your loved one has signs of neglect, they may be eligible for a nursing home abuse lawsuit.
Talk to a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer in Rockford
Helping your loved ones feel safe and secure is key, especially if they are unable to take care of themselves. Unfortunately, nursing homes don’t always offer dignity and respect to their residents.
In these cases, a lawyer at Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC can show you how to spot nursing home abuse and seek compensation for your family’s suffering. To learn more through a free consultation, call 815-656-4600 or fill out the online contact form below.
