Making the decision to place an elderly loved one in a nursing home is a difficult decision, one that is further compounded by the fact that unfortunately, not all of the people entrusted with the care of our loved ones may treat them with respect and dignity.
Nursing home abuse is something that many people struggle to come to terms with, whether you are experiencing it, or you believe your parent or other elderly loved one is experiencing the abuse. The following is a closer look at the types of nursing home abuse, how to spot nursing home abuse, and what your legal options are if you believe your loved one has been mistreated.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
There are several types of nursing home abuse that you need to know about, including: physical abuse, emotional abuse, and financial abuse. Physical abuse includes physically striking and harming the elderly person or even ignoring them and their physical needs; emotional abuse includes intimidating the elderly person through threats and harsh language, isolating the elderly patient, mocking and humiliating them, and otherwise terrorizing them; and financial abuse includes misusing the elderly person’s credit cards and checks, forging their signature, and stealing their identity.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
The signs of nursing home abuse will vary depending on the type(s) of abuse being perpetuated. Common signs that you need to consider are:
Unexplained bruises, cuts, or broken bones
Soiled linens or clothing
Bed sores
Unsanitary living conditions
Dehydration
Malnourishment
Anxiety when certain nursing home employees are around
Money missing from bank account
Sudden credit card debt they can't explain
These are, of course, just a few of the signs of certain types of nursing home abuse. There are many other signs that you may notice with your loved one that will vary depending on the circumstances.
Your Legal Options
Nursing home residents have the right to be respected and treated with dignity and care. The abuse of nursing patients is a violation of law and common decency. If you suspect your elderly loved one is being abused by a nursing home, you have legal options that may assist you in finding them a new living situation while making sure that they receive adequate compensation for their injuries and the emotional effects of the abuse they’ve suffered.
The best chance you have of ensuring that your elderly loved one is properly cared for and compensated after their abuse is to contact a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will be able to give you advice on your case and will guide you through your legal options; they will also help you decide on the best course of action to take, especially if your elderly loved one is still in need of nursing home care.
Our professional team of legal experts is here to help you through this difficult time. If you believe your loved one is experiencing elderly abuse at the hands of a nursing home or nursing home employee, contact Seaman & Associates with your information today http://www.seamanatty.com/