When a loved one is in an assisted living facility, families should be able to trust and believe that they’re getting the care they need. Unfortunately, 20% of nursing home residents experience abuse or neglect in some form. Abuse isn’t always obvious, which is why watching for these warning signs is so crucial.
Unexplained Injuries
While it’s common for the elderly to fall and hurt themselves, it shouldn’t happen in a nursing facility with adequate supervision. Nursing homes typically complete fall risk assessments on new residents to ensure proper monitoring.
Bites, scratches, bruises, and bone fractures are sometimes caused by facility employees. If a family member always seems to be injured, it may indicate physical abuse or neglect.
Bedsores
For those confined to a wheelchair or bed, pressure sores or bedsores are a major concern. They’re preventable, though, as long as staff members move residents often enough. Residents should be moved every two hours, and they should be bathed frequently. If a person has bedsores, it means they’re not getting proper care.
Mood Changes
A person who was once social and friendly but is now sullen and withdrawn may be suffering from abuse. These patients also tend to yell out and resist physical touch, and they sometimes avoid social settings. These signs should not be ignored and they should be addressed with staff members promptly.
Dehydration and Malnutrition
Having water and food withheld is another way nursing facility resident experience abuse. It’s sometimes used as a disciplinary tool, but it can lead to rapid dehydration and weight loss. While these symptoms have other causes, they often indicate abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Sadly, assaults take place in facilities all over the country. In many of these unfortunate cases, victims cannot speak up for themselves, which makes it easier for the perpetrators to commit these crimes. Victims often exhibit signs such as bruising, difficulty sitting, and unusual bleeding. If a friend or family member is showing any of these symptoms, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer right away.
Poor Personal and Environmental Hygiene
Many residents can’t adequately groom and clean themselves, instead relying on staff members to do so. If a person was previously receiving assistance but now looks dirty and unkempt, neglect may be occurring. Dirty and unsanitary living conditions are other warning signs. These facilities are typically sanitized and cleaned frequently, and if a patient is living in squalor, they may be subject to abuse.
Unresponsive or Absent Staff
It’s a sign that’s usually overlooked, but understaffed and high-turnover nursing homes leave residents more vulnerable to abuse. Caregivers should never keep relatives from seeing their loved ones, and if they do, it’s a big red flag.
Recognize the Signs of Abuse
Knowing the warning signs of abuse and advocating for patients’ rights is the most important step in fighting this problem. While not all the signs above indicate abuse, it’s essential to address them promptly and be prepared to take legal action if required. If a friend or family member is being abused in a nursing home, the firm offers advice on patients’ rights. Call today for a no-obligation consultation.