Nursing homes or similar organizations present the notion that they’re a home away from home for your loved ones. Sadly, some of these medical care facilities are understaffed and poorly managed, resulting in the neglect and abuse of residents. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2020 that 12% of nursing home staff members reported neglecting residents’ needs.
Finding out that your family member may be a victim of nursing home abuse and neglect is disorienting. When a nursing home commits a serious offense, there should be strict consequences for their inability to provide for their patients adequately. For you and your loved one to have compensation for the physical and emotional pain that the facility inflicted, you should talk with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer.
Signs That Might Point to Nursing Home Abuse
There are many reasons why nursing homes are helpful and offer proper care to many individuals, but more than often are their cases that expose the lack of care and understaffing in these communities. Here are a few signs that might help point out abuse before it becomes hazardous:
- Having unexplained bruises, sprains, or other major injuries.
- The caregiver refuses for you to be alone with the patient.
- Patient participates in unusual behavior — mumbling or rocking behaviors.
- The presence of bedsores and other marks from long-term sitting on the body.
- Unsanitary or unkempt living conditions.
- Not properly dressed for the weather conditions.
There are many ways to see and gather evidence for nursing home abuse. Physical abuse is easier to find tangible evidence for, while emotional manipulation and harm may require medical and psychiatric assistance.
How You Can Reduce the Possibility of Nursing Home Abuse
Adjusting into a new environment and routine is difficult for everyone, but even more so for residents of nursing homes. When you’re moving a loved one into a new nursing home, there are some ways you can reduce the risk of neglect and abuse toward your family member. The list below shows a few ways to help enforce better living arrangements:
- Regularly visiting your loved one.
- Completing research for red flags within the nursing home.
- Asking questions and voicing your concerns to caretakers.
- Calling your family member often.
- Staying vigilant about the signs of nursing home abuse.
Following these tips and incorporating a few into your daily routine can significantly reduce the likelihood of your loved one experiencing neglect inside the nursing home. When you actively show that you’re involved in the community and taking care of your family, staff members are likely to put both time and effort into making sure everything is working correctly.
Discover Passionate Lawyers for Your Nursing Home Abuse Case
The thought that someone as important to you as your loved one could be in a situation of nursing home abuse is frightening. Not only did you trust this facility but also those working to make sure your family was comfortable and happy. If you suspect that nursing home abuse is happening to someone you care about, talking with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer plays an essential role for both emotional and monetary compensation.
Talk to our compassionate nursing home abuse attorneys at Dalli & Marino for guidance on the different legal processes and documentation you’ll need. We’re dedicated to assisting you every step of the way and advocating for both you and your loved one’s rights.
Call (888) 465-8790 or fill out our online contact form for more information about how our team can assist you and to talk with a professional about the details of your case.
