Choosing the ideal nursing home facility for your elderly loved one in New York can be challenging. Not only do you need to find a place where they’ll be safe and well cared for, but you also want to find a good fit where they’ll be happy. What’s supposed to be someone’s golden years are also the time in their lives when they’re the most vulnerable. Regrettably, some ill-intentioned people will exploit this vulnerability.
Across the State of New York and in NYC, nursing home abuse occurs all too often. While many nursing home facilities properly care for their residents, there are exemptions. Unfortunately, even some of the most esteemed nursing homes may be susceptible to negligent or criminal acts of staff that can inflict serious harm to residents.
If you’re worried that your loved one is suffering abuse in a nursing home or long-term care facility, the dedicated nursing home abuse lawyers at Dalli & Marino, LLP can help. Call us today to speak with a knowledgeable lawyer over a free and confidential consultation.
What Are Frequent Types of Nursing Home Abuse in New York and NYC?
Nursing home abuse manifests in different forms that are not all easily recognizable. If your elderly loved one resides at a nursing home or other long-term care facility, it’s vital to their health that you learn the common types and warning signs of abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are five types of nursing home abuse:
Physical Abuse
If you suspect that your loved one is suffering from physical abuse at a nursing home, you must act swiftly. A seasoned nursing home abuse lawyer such as those at Dalli & Marino, LLP can help you decide the best way to proceed. Physical abuse can involve slapping, pinching, burning, illegal use of restraints, and all forms of rough treatment.
Common signs of physical abuse include:
- Unexplained injuries
- Unexplained falls
- Bruises, wounds, lacerations, and burns
- Mysterious changes in behavior
- Failure to seek medical care
Verbal Abuse
Signs of verbal abuse are often harder to identify, but the damage it inflicts on nursing home residents can be just as destructive as physical abuse. Verbal abuse is a form of psychological abuse that vulnerable nursing home residents may suffer from because of staff and other residents. Verbal abuse often causes fear, anguish, distress, or mental pain in nursing home residents.
Examples of verbal abuse within nursing homes include:
- Verbal and non-verbal threats
- Geographic or interpersonal isolation
- Harassment
- Humiliation
- Disrespect
Sexual Abuse
As troubling as it may be, sexual abuse of disabled or incapacitated nursing home residents does happen. Sexual abuse may involve inappropriate touching, teasing, sexual assault, indecent exposure, and rape.
Common indicators of sexual abuse in nursing homes include:
- Pain in the genital area
- Genital itching or bleeding
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Ripped or bloodstained undergarments
- Bruising in the genital area, buttocks, breasts, or neck
- Unexplained loss of bladder control
- Displays of unusual sexual behavior
Neglect
Nursing home staff are trusted with the extraordinary responsibility of caring for our elderly loved ones, who may be too injured or incapacitated to care for themselves properly. When nurses and staff fail to meet residents’ basic health needs, the victim can rapidly become sick, malnourished, depressed, injured, or worse.
Signs that may suggest your loved one is being neglected include:
- Bedsores
- Weight loss
- Poor personal hygiene
- Body, urine, or fecal odors
- Soiled bedding
- The victim appears confused or depressed
- Unexplained injuries or infections
- Few nursing staff members present
- Unhygienic conditions in room or bathroom
While some of these conditions may arise from causes that don’t involve nursing home abuse or neglect, they are often the first warning signs of more significant concern. That is especially true if you notice multiple warning signs.
Financial Abuse
It’s a sad reality that there exist opportunistic nurses and staff members who will exploit a nursing home resident to gain access to their finances. Financial abuse may also occur in a situation that involves in-home care when a family member is responsible for a loved one’s care and finances.
Telling signs of financial abuse may include:
- Overdue bills
- Sudden overdraft fees
- Disappeared belongings
- Unusual bank account activity
- Checks written as loan or gifts
- New credit cards under the victim’s name
- The victim appears confused about their finances
- New address given on bank or credit card statements
What Should I Do If I Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in New York or NYC?
If you have any question that your loved one may be suffering abuse at their nursing home or long-care facility in New York, speak with an attorney immediately. Your loved one may be unable to describe or report the abuse or neglect that they’re suffering due to illness or injury. They may be scared or intimidated to speak out for fear of retaliation from nursing home staff or residents.
It’s up to you to be vigilant of the warning signs and talk to your loved ones about their conditions if possible. Most importantly, be sure to speak to an experienced nursing home abuse attorney who can help you assess whether your elderly loved one may be suffering abuse. When it comes to our loved ones’ wellbeing and security when they’re at their most vulnerable, it’s best to be overly cautious than sorry.
Contact Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New York and NYC
If you suffer abuse or suspect that a loved one is being abused in a nursing home or long-term care facility in NYC or throughout New York, contact Dalli & Marino, LLP immediately for experienced legal help. Our nursing home abuse attorneys zealously defend victims and their families against nursing home facilities and staff to hold them responsible for any improper or abusive conduct. We are here to help you through this challenging time. If bringing a claim for compensation is necessary, we will guide you through every step to secure full and just compensation for your losses.
To consult with a seasoned New York nursing home abuse lawyer at Dalli & Marino, LLP today, schedule a free case review by calling 888-465-8790 or completing our contact form.
