Recognizing Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Placing a loved one into the custody of a nursing home facility can be one of the most difficult decisions a family can make. In most instances, the family can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their family member’s needs are being met by trained professionals. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. According to statistics compiled by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), approximately 10% of all Americans over the age of 60 have experienced elder abuse. If you believe that your loved one may be facing nursing home abuse, it is time to seek out legal guidance.
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse can come in various forms including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Emotional abuse occurs when a nursing home staff member verbally berates, threatens, or harasses a resident. Physical abuse is the act of physically harming a resident, and sexual abuse occurs when an employee engages in any sexual behavior with a resident that cannot or does not consent to the act. It should be noted that patients with cognitive impairments such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease are common victims of nursing home abuse and negligence.
How You Can Help
When you place your loved one into the care of a nursing home facility, it is critically important to be on the lookout for signs of abuse. Recognizing physical abuse can be somewhat straightforward due to the fact that the symptoms often come in the form of bruises or abrasions to the skin. Signs of emotional or sexual abuse can be more difficult to recognize, especially if visits to your loved one are infrequent or irregular. The first step you can take to recognize signs of abuse is spending as much time as possible with your loved one, giving you an opportunity to recognize their behavior patterns within the facility. If you notice that they are beginning to withdraw from social activities, experience changes in mood, or acting tense around their caregiver, they may be facing some form of abuse.
Contact an Aurora Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
At Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Mazur P.C., our lawyers are dedicated to protecting your loved one from nursing home negligence and abuse. If you believe that your family member is facing nursing home abuse, it is imperative that you act quickly, remove them from the facility, and seek legal action. Our firm fully understands the emotional challenges that come with recognizing that your family member is facing abuse, and we will stand by you through every step of the legal process. To schedule a complimentary consultation with a compassionate Kane County personal injury attorney, call us today at 630-907-0909.
Source:
https://www.ncoa.org/public-policy-action/elder-justice/elder-abuse-facts/
