Do you think you may need to hire a nursing home abuse attorney for your loved one, but aren’t sure?
Nursing home abuse occurs more often than most people realize. In fact, as many as 5 million elders are abused each year. And, one study found that as many as 24.3 percent of nursing home residents have experienced at least one incident of physical abuse while staying in a nursing home.
If you’re loved one is living in a nursing home, it’s very important to be aware of the signs of abuse so you can hire a nursing home abuse attorney.
Check out this guide to discover the top signs you may need to hire a nursing home abuse attorney.
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Unexplained Injuries or Bruises
While elderly individuals tend to bruise more easily, unexplained bruises are a cause for concern.
However, bruising isn’t the only thing you want to keep an eye out for in terms of injuries. Other signs of physical abuse include dislocated or broken bones, sprains, scratches, or welts. You should also keep an eye out for signs of physical restraint, such as rope marks around the wrist.
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Mood or Behavioral Changes
Mood or behavioral changes can also indicate nursing home abuse. If your loved one suddenly starts acting withdrawn when before they were very communicative, this could be a red flag.
In addition to acting withdrawn, you should also look out for unexplained agitation, anxiety, fear, depression, embarrassment, or anger. Sometimes, these mood or behavioral changes can be explained by an illness, such as dementia. However, they could also be due to abuse.
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Dehydration or Malnutrition
Dehydration and malnutrition may be a sign that the nursing staff is neglecting to properly feed your loved one.
Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, parched lips, and a lack of energy. Malnourishment is often accompanied by extreme weight loss, dizziness, fatigue, muscle loss, and bone loss.
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Poor Sanitation or Hygiene
You should also keep an eye on the sanitary conditions of the facility as well as your loved one’s personal hygiene.
Signs to look out for include unwashed hair, improper toileting, overgrown nails, soiled clothes or bedding, and poor dental health. You should also check to see if the bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas are being properly maintained. Residents who are immunocompromised can especially be in danger if they’re living in an unsanitary environment.
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Issues With the Staff
In addition to paying attention to your loved one, you also want to pay attention to the nursing home staff.
When visiting your loved one, pay attention to how the staff interacts with residents. Are they kind, engaging, and patient, or do they seem brusque and frustrated?
Also, pay attention to how they treat you. Do they take the time to address your questions and concerns, or do they merely dismiss you?
You should also make note of the staff turnover rate. If staff members seem to be changing out quickly, this is not a good sign. Not only does quick turnover indicate that something may be afoot, but it also means your loved one isn’t getting the chance to form meaningful relationships with their caregivers.
If you notice a high turnover rate, you may want to call Roger Weinberg, nursing home attorney.
Is it Time to Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney?
Now that you’ve read this article, it’s time to decide whether or not you need to hire a nursing home abuse attorney. If you decide that the answer is yes, make sure you do your research into the different attorneys available before hiring.
And, be sure to check back in with our blog for more articles like this one!
