WARNING SIGNS OF ABUSE IN NURSING HOMES

While nursing homes are supposed to be places where we can trust that our loved ones will be safe and cared for, sometimes they are places where abuse and neglect take place. Usually, this mistreatment comes from the very people who have a legal obligation to provide care to the elderly person, including doctors and nurses. The types of abuse can range from physical and emotional abuse to sexual abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect.

If you are concerned about an elderly family member, watch carefully for these warning signs of abuse:

Your loved one’s hygiene has suffered due to a lack of assistance with basic care. Signs may include smelling of urine and feces, wearing dirty clothes, unwashed hair, body odor, and overgrown nails.
Your loved one has suffered sudden weight loss due to malnutrition or suffers from dry mouth, cracked lips, swollen tongue, and reduced urine output from dehydration.
Your loved one has unexplained injuries, including bruises, broken bones, scratches, or dislocations from rough handling during repositioning, transfers, feeding, and medicine administration.
Your loved one seems drowsy, confused, or sleeping all the time. This could be a sign that they are receiving an overdose of medication that has gone uncorrected.
Your loved one has become immobile due to a lack of assistance with walking and daily exercise programs.
Your loved one has developed one or more bedsores from not being regularly repositioned in their beds.
Your loved one’s personality and behavior has changed, leaving them agitated, withdrawn, fearful, embarrassed, or depressed. This may be a sign of bullying, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, take immediate action by alerting the head of the facility. Then, consult with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney to discuss potential legal options. At The Florida Law Group, our attorneys are committed to holding negligent nursing homes responsible for their misconduct.
Let us help you seek justice on behalf of your loved one!