Nursing home abuse and neglect are unfortunately more common than you may want to think. The World Health Organization found that between 2017 and 2018, 1 out of every 6 adults who were 60 years old or older experienced abuse while living in places like nursing homes. Nursing home abuse and elder abuse, in general, are often not reported. So, the actual number is probably higher than what the statistic shows.
If a caregiver is intentionally harming a patient, that is abuse. Those who abuse others often refuse to give them things they need, like food, water, and medical help. Nursing home neglect is an unintentional failure by the caregiver.
Examples of neglect are:
- Failing to follow the patient’s or resident’s care plan,
- Ignoring calls for assistance
- Failing to maintain the patient’s hygiene
- Otherwise failing to meet social, physical, or emotional needs.
If your loved one is in a nursing home or hospice facility, there are a few warning signs you can watch for to protect your loved ones from elder abuse or neglect.
3 Signs of Abuse in a Nursing Home
1. Changes in general well-being to be aware of:
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Frequent infections
- Unmet medical needs (like scheduled doses or missed appointments)
- Poor hygiene or unclean conditions
- Dirty clothing or bed sheets
2. Physical signs of nursing home abuse to be aware of:
- Bed injuries like bedsores (pressure ulcers), side rail injuries, or even strangulation
- Reports of falling or evidence of a past fall. This may show that the resident living here isn’t getting the right help to move around, get out of bed, or use the bathroom
- Unexplained broken bones or fractures, bruises, cuts, or welts. These may be at various stages of healing
- Head injuries
3. Social or behavioral changes that may indicate nursing home abuse:
- Inadequate time for socialization
- Withdrawal from social interactions or refusal to speak
- Emotional outbursts or new changes in behavior
- Nurses or caregivers don’t let the patient be alone with loved ones, or when the resident seems hesitant to talk when the caregiver is around.
Should I Hire a Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer?
If you suspect that your loved one is suffering abuse or neglect in a nursing home or hospice facility, do not hesitate to remove your loved one from the facility. Be sure to document any injuries, if possible, but let a skilled nursing home abuse and neglect attorney help you take on the nursing home or hospice facility. Nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys can help you obtain settlements large enough to cover temporary or lifelong costs associated with medical mismanagement and other nursing home or inpatient facility injuries.
Here at Habush Habush & Rottier, your consultation with our attorneys is free and confidential. If we take your case, we will do our best to help you get fair compensation for your injuries and related losses. If you have any questions, give us a call at 800-242-2874.
Attorney Molly C. Lavin
