When you place a loved one in a nursing home, you expect the facility to provide the care and attention your loved one deserves. Unfortunately, many nursing homes and assisted living facilities violate that trust by allowing vulnerable residents to be abused or neglected.

If a loved one shows signs of nursing home abuse or neglect, the nursing home neglect lawyers at The Robenalt Law Firm, Inc. can help you protect your loved one and seek compensation from the facility for the harm it caused.

Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Describes Signs of Elder Abuse and Neglect

Nursing home residents are often unable to advocate for themselves. They may have physical conditions that impair their awareness or ability to express themselves. If they suffer from cognitive difficulties or dementia, they may not be believed if they report abuse or neglect.

While nursing home staff should be on the lookout for warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, family members can take an active role in preventing abuse by remaining vigilant, asking questions, and taking action when necessary.

Perpetrators of nursing home abuse or neglect often go to great lengths to hide their actions from the resident’s family and friends. To protect your aging loved one, it is important to understand the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect and know what to do if you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected.

Physical Abuse

Any form of physical violence that injures a nursing home resident is considered physical abuse. Physical abuse can come from nursing home staff or at the hands of other nursing home residents. Regardless of the perpetrator, the facility is legally obligated to protect residents from physical harm.

Signs that your loved one may have been physically abused in a nursing home include:

• Fractures or broken bones
• Cuts or bruises
• Scars
• Bite marks
• Head injuries or concussions
• Unnecessary physical or chemical restraint
• Fear of a particular staff member or members
• Unexplained changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Anxiety or depression

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse occurs when a nursing home resident suffers emotional harm through threats, insults, humiliation, or fear. Emotional abuse is thought to be one of the most common forms of elder abuse, but it is the most difficult to detect because there is little physical evidence when it occurs. Signs of emotional abuse include:

• Fear and anxiety
• Withdrawing from social activities
• Depression
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Suicide attempts
• Mumbling or other changes in speech patterns

You know your loved one best, and if they experience unexplained changes in behavior, explore the cause.

Sexual Abuse

Elder sexual abuse occurs when a caregiver, resident, or visitor to the facility forces the resident to engage in unwanted sexual contact. Victims of elder sexual abuse often have medical issues that make it difficult for them to communicate, remember the abuse, or understand what happened. Signs of elder sex abuse include:

• Fear of being alone with particular nursing home residents or staff members
• Bruising around the genitals, on the inner thighs, or around the breasts
• Pelvic injuries
• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Unexplained Sexual Transmitted Infections
• Anal or vaginal bleeding
• Torn or blood-stained underwear
• Difficulty sleeping
• Social withdrawal

Financial Exploitation

Financial abuse occurs when a caregiver steals or misuses a resident's money or assets. Financial abuse can include stealing a resident’s money or valuables, using the resident’s credit cards for personal use, or taking control of an elderly resident’s assets by becoming their power of attorney. Signs of elder financial abuse include:

• Large bank withdrawals or transfers
• Changes in power of attorney, insurance policy beneficiaries, or property titles
• Missing cash, valuables or other property
• Unusual charges or financial transactions

Neglect

Nursing home neglect happens when a nursing home intentionally or unintentionally fails to provide a resident with adequate and appropriate care. Nursing home neglect can include leaving residents unattended for long periods of time, not providing sufficient food or water, failing to administer medications, unsanitary living conditions, or not bathing a resident. Signs of nursing home neglect include:

• Unsanitary living conditions
• Untreated injuries
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Weight loss
• Bedsores
• Anxiety or depression

What To Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

If you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected, you may not know what to do or where to turn. Talking to the nursing home director or administrator can help stop the mistreatment, but it cannot undo the harm that was already done. The nursing home neglect attorneys at The Robenalt Law Firm. Inc. can evaluate your situation, explain your options, and seek compensation for the harm to your loved one.

To learn more, contact the nursing home neglect lawyers at The Robenalt Law Firm, Inc. today. Call us at 216-233-7573, email trobenalt@robenaltlaw.com, or complete our online form.