Three Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse may be one of your worst fears. When you place your loved one in a nursing home, you want to know that they are being well cared for. Yet, often, nursing home abuse and neglect take place without the loved ones ever knowing about it. Here’s what you need to look for when you visit your loved one to determine if they are being abused or neglected.

Signs of Elder Abuse

One of the biggest signs of elder abuse is change in behavior. Your loved one may suddenly display symptoms similar to dementia, with mumbling, sucking their thumb, rocking constantly, or becoming easily confused. You may also notice physical signs of abuse such as bruises or broken bones without reasonable explanations of how they occurred.

The most important thing you can do to prevent or detect elder abuse is to really pay attention to your loved one when you visit. Note any behavior changes. See how they interact with their nurses and the other staff of the nursing home. You should also listen to what they have to say. While they may not specifically mention an incident of abuse, how they talk about the place they are in or the people they work with could be important hints into how they are being treated.

Signs of Neglect

There are also some signs of neglect that you should look for when you visit your loved one in the nursing home. Make sure that they are clean and unsoiled. If they have a rash similar to an infant’s diaper rash, they are not being cared for and toileted appropriately. If they are smelly or obviously dirty, they may not be bathed regularly. If they experience sudden weight loss, they may not be fed appropriately. You can also look for signs of sedentariness from being left to sit in a chair for long periods of time.

If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse or medication errors it is important to act right away. Contact Regan Zambri Long today for more information about elder abuse and what you can do to stop it and compensate your loved one for their pain and suffering. Contact us today for a free consultation.

About the Author

Patrick M. Regan, Esq.

Patrick Regan is a board certified personal injury lawyer and a founding partner at Regan Zambri Long. His practice is devoted to helping those who suffered catastrophic injuries in car accidents, truck accidents, Metro accidents, and medical malpractice. Over his nearly 40-year career, Patrick has obtained some of the most significant jury verdicts in the history of Washington, DC on behalf of injured victims. Patrick is licensed to practice law in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland. He received his B.A. at Hamilton College and his J.D. at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.