Reporting Nursing Home Injuries And Abuse

Reporting Nursing Home Injuries And Abuse

Nursing home abuse and neglect can come in several forms including the physical, emotional and financial exploitation of an elderly person. If you have a family member or friend which is in a nursing home or has a home health aide, there are several things of which to be aware to determine whether your loved one is being abused in some manner.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is perhaps the easiest form to see. If a patient has unexplained or poorly explained sores, bruises, cuts, welts, burns, or fractures, they may be suffering physical abuse at the hands of their caretaker. Many times sexual abuse includes physicals abuse with the addition of the fact that an elderly relative or friend suddenly has unexplained sexually transmitted diseases, while in the care of a nursing home or caretaker.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse includes changes in behaviors that are uncharacteristic or unexplained. This can include a sudden withdrawal from activities, guests, or a change in alertness. If a caregiver does not allow guests to see a patient and does not allow them to have phone calls, these may be signs of emotional abuse. Caretakers that are verbally demeaning, uncaring, or speak is an aggressive and controlling manner can and will inflict emotional abuse on the elderly.

Neglectful Abuse

Neglect is another form of abuse that usually is demonstrated with visual clues. If a patient is not clothed well or does not receive basic hygiene, they may be neglected. A patient that has a lack of nutritional food in their diet or a lack of medical aids that they need such as dentures. Hearing aids, glasses and medications, are all victims of neglect. Patients left in bed without care or in a cluttered or dirty environment or without the basic necessities of heating and cooling may also be victims of neglect.

Financial Exploitation

Some elderly patients may give large gifts or financial reimbursements to a caregiver that are not appropriate or necessary. Caregivers that have control of an elderly patient’s money may fail to adequately provide for their patient’s needs. Some patients may sign over property rights while not understanding the impact of their actions. These are all examples of financial exploitation.

A nursing home is a place where you and your loved ones should feel comfortable. This is why it is crucial to home nursing homes and caregivers responsible when they fail to provide the minimum expectations of care. Lawyer Paul J. Fina has years of experience helping seniors, and their loved ones, fight for the compensation and comfort they deserve. If you feel your loved on is suffering from nursing home abuse, contact us today for a free, no-obligation review of your loved one’s case and any potential nursing home abuse.