It’s crucial to have assistance caring for our aging loved ones. Unfortunately, many elderly persons endure suffering as a result of covert mistreatment in some care facilities. Most places do an excellent job of caring for the elderly; however, some prey on them and their loved ones by taking advantage of the elderly’s frailty. Knowing the most prevalent indications of elder abuse is helpful for those with loved ones in a living facility.

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is a type of negligence and mistreatment that targets senior residents of nursing homes. These situations frequently result from incomplete tasks, but they can also be intentional. Whatever the reason, it is considered nursing home neglect when a nursing home employee’s negligence causes a resident to become ill, get hurt, or pass away. The term “neglect” refers to any failure to provide a resident with the amount of care ordinarily expected in a nursing home. Whether or not the individual in control of the patient’s treatment purposefully neglects the patient, the nursing home staff is responsible for deciding what care is necessary and providing it.

Common Signs of Elder Abuse

When placing a relative in a retirement care facility, nursing home mistreatment cannot be foreseen or anticipated. Frequent check-ins with family members where they seem different, particularly if they seem uncomfortable throughout their stay, can be the first indication that nursing home maltreatment is taking place. The following are some warning signals of nursing home neglect:
  • Reduced Mobility: Nursing facilities that house numerous patients in wheelchairs or beds attempt to encourage physical activity, but a refusal to do so may be an indication of neglect.
  • New Injuries: Injuries that occur suddenly or at random, such as those brought on by slip-and-falls or by orderlies physically abusing residents, are all warning indications of elder neglect, especially if they are not treated as soon as they occur.
  • Poor Hygiene: Personal hygiene duties like bathing require support for nursing home residents, especially those who are unable to move on their own, and the absence of assistance can lead to poor hygiene.
  • Mood Shifts: Prolonged exposure to staff abuse can cause PTSD, anxiousness, and depression, among other conditions. It can also enhance one’s contempt for or dread of nursing home employees.
  • Missing Money: Elders in nursing homes are not devoid of their finances, and if in a state where they can easily be taken advantage of, access to their financial holdings may be stolen and used without their knowledge.
  • Unexpected Weight Loss: Withholding food can be a form of abuse, and if a loved one is expressing that they are not eating enough or appears to be losing weight at a rapid pace, this may be a sign of elder abuse.
  • Lack of Involvement: Feeling withdrawn or less enthusiastic in visits or activities with other residents can be a glaring result of elder abuse, especially verbal elder abuse.
Despite any initial suspicions of neglect, having regular check-ins with loved ones residing in nursing homes can help establish whether and when the mistreatment they experience begins. A family member’s life may be saved if legal action is taken against the institution that mistreated them. It may also provide other families dealing with similar abuse patterns the peace of mind they need.

Finding Legal Representation for Loved Ones Facing Elder Abuse

Contacting the police should be done as soon as any telltale signs of elder abuse in loved ones appear. To assist in preventing any long-lasting or fatal impacts of this maltreatment, any health concerns brought on by this neglect must be treated. When dealing with these circumstances, speaking with a nursing home abuse attorney might help recover any damages brought on by this mistreatment. Contact Lamar Law Office to start submitting a claim immediately. Our experienced legal team can assist in addressing these cases of elder abuse.