Recognizing Nursing Home Abuse

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Sadly, nursing home abuse and neglect is remarkably common here in the United States. Statistics have shown that at least 30% of all elder care facilities have been cited for mistreating their patients, although the number could actually be even higher. In a place where the residents lack the ability to fight back or seek out additional care, such maltreatment is especially unforgiveable. If your loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse, you deserve to pursue justice.

Signs of Abusive Facilities

Selecting the right nursing home for your loved one can be difficult, especially if you are unfamiliar with your options. When visiting possible homes, make sure to examine how the current patients appear to be treated. Check out the cleanliness of the area and the people who live there. It is also suggested that you ask around to research how well-reputed the facility is.

After you have placed your loved one in a home, make sure you keep an eye out for the following signs of potential abuse:

• • Abnormal changes in behavior
  • Desire to be isolated
  • Acting aggressively and angrily toward others
  • Having unexplained injuries, like bruises, cuts, burns, and broken bones
  • Being inexplicably or frequently sedated
  • Having the appearance of being malnourished
  • Dirty, unwashed appearance
  • Resorting to infantile responses, such as rocking, sucking, or biting

Even if you originally placed your loved one in a trustworthy nursing home, changes in personnel and numbers of patients can have drastic effects on his or her care and wellbeing.