Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Written by AskTheLawyers.com™
Written by AskTheLawyers.com™
AskTheLawyers™
Over two million Americans live in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. The last thing that a family member wants to find out is that their loved one is suffering in silence from abuse at the hands of his or her caretakers, but this problem is one that is tragically common.
Have you noticed any of these warning signs?
If you have a loved one who is living in a long-term care facility, you should be on the lookout for these red flags. They may indicate that your loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect.
Physical abuse:
- Unexplained broken bones, dislocations or sprains
- Bruising, scarring or welts on the body
- Evidence that medication is not being properly administered
- Signs of restraint, such as rope burns on the wrist or ankle
- Broken glasses
- A caregiver’s refusal to leave you alone with the resident
Emotional abuse:
- Unusual behaviors that may resemble symptoms of dementia, such as mumbling, rocking or sucking one’s thumb
- Witnessing caregivers act belittling, controlling, threatening or coldly to other residents
Sexual abuse:
- Unexplained genital infections
- Bruising near the genitals or around the breasts
- Stained, bloody or torn undergarments
- Bleeding unrelated to medical conditions
If you suspect that your loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect in a nursing home, reach out to a qualified nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible. Often, this type of abuse is chronic and ongoing, and you need to speak to someone who will intervene right away to investigate abuse and put an end to it. You owe it to your loved one to ensure that they are able to live free from physical and emotional harm at the hands of those who are supposed to take care of them.