What do you do when you think a loved one may have been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect?

While we’d all like to believe that our elderly loved ones are receiving top-notch care during their time in a nursing home, unfortunately this isn’t always the case. For this reason, family members must always be aware of how to detect nursing home abuse in an elderly loved one and of the possibility of nursing home abuse and neglect. Sadly, this abuse can include physical, verbal, or sexual mistreatment.

It’s important to be highly vigilant when your senior is residing in a nursing home or assisted living facility. The signs of abuse can be subtle, making it easy for it to go on for months or years, much to the dismay of a well-intentioned family. To keep your elderly loved one safe, know the signs of abuse or neglect. They include:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or broken bones
• Bruising around the breasts or genital area
• Poor hygiene
• Weight loss as a result of poor nutrition
• Bed sores
• Unattended medical needs
• A change in personality, including becoming withdrawn from normal activities as a result of depression or anxiety
• Unexplained medical emergencies

While it’s not pleasant to think about these situations occurring, if you have a family member in the care of a nursing home, it’s important to understand that these instances do happen. By remaining vigilant and present, you can help to stop this devastating abuse and neglect.

If you suspect that your senior is being subjected to abuse or neglect, contact the facility’s administrators right away, as well as the state authorities. From there, call our team of highly knowledgeable attorneys to see how we can help your family deal with this heartbreaking situation.