The idea that your loved one may be mistreated or abused while at a nursing home is not one most people like to think about. Having to admit one of your parents or grandparents to an assisted living facility can be tough enough, let alone if you find out they are not receiving the care and attention they deserve. Nursing home abuse is a very serious – and growing – problem in the United States, which is why it is imperative that we raise awareness about this issue. Many people choose to ignore the signs of nursing abuse, whether because they simply don’t recognize them or for some other reason. With nearly two million Americans living in long-term care facilities, neglect against residents of these facilities is a problem we cannot ignore. While there are undoubtedly regulations in place to protect the elderly from abuse, they aren’t always adhered to. If one of your loved ones is in a nursing home and you have noticed certain behavioral changes or injuries of some kind, please do not hesitate to contact an attorney from AMA Law. Our nursing home abuse lawyers have handled numerous elderly neglect and abuse cases and are prepared to do the same for you.
Unfortunately, elders are oftentimes hesitant to discuss mistreatment, abuse, or neglect. Whether out of shame, fear of retaliation, or because of their condition, they may be unable to alert you of the abuse they are experiencing. In order to help you recognize nursing home abuse, let’s take a look at some of the key warning signs that a senior living resident is a victim of neglect or abuse:
- Physical Abuse
Some of the signs that your loved one is suffering from physical nursing home abuse include unexplained cuts, bruises, welts, burns, and grip marks or rope marks around the wrists. If your loved one refuses to discuss how these injuries occurred or have a dismissive attitude about their injuries, it may be cause for concern.
- Psychological Abuse
If you notice that your loved one appears withdrawn from normal activities, is acting fearful or suspicious for no apparent reason, or is being uncommunicative or unresponsive, they may be a victim of psychological abuse.
- Neglect
There are many different ways in which neglect may occur in a nursing home setting. From residents not receiving adequate food and water, appropriate clothing, or medical aids to having to live with untreated bedsores, neglect is a very serious problem in senior living facilities.
- Financial Abuse
Financial abuse can be more difficult to detect, but is a growing problem in the United States. If you notice unusual bank account activity or that the accounts, property, or control of assets have been switched to someone else’s name, you should contact a nursing home abuse lawyer from AMA Law immediately.
- Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is something that many people do not like to think about their loved ones going through, whether young or old. In a nursing home setting, this form of abuse is becoming increasingly – and unfortunately – common. Some of the warning signs of sexual abuse include unusual vaginal or anal bleeding, sexually transmitted diseases or vaginal infections, and torn or bloody undergarments.
If you suspect a loved one may be the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please do not hesitate to contact an attorney from AMA Law right away.