How To Face The Complexities Of Nursing Home Abuse

One of the most difficult moments in one’s life is realizing that your close ones simply can’t take care of themselves anymore.

That’s when you need to think about other options at your disposal. And one of the logical options that pops into mind is usually a nursing home.

We often trust nursing homes and long-term care facilities to provide the necessary care, comfort, and medical attention. However, the unfortunate reality is that not all facilities live up to these expectations.

In some cases, residents experience mistreatment in the form of neglect or worse, abuse, making a difficult situation even more complex for families.

Nursing home abuse is an alarming issue that affects thousands of elderly residents every year across the US. It is emotionally challenging for families to learn that their loved ones may not be receiving the care they deserve, and even more so to navigate the legal, medical, and emotional aspects of such a situation. 

Once you notice signs of nursing home abuse, it’s important to act quickly and report it to the relevant parties. However, it’s much easier to deal with these stressful situations if you have some background knowledge. 

That’s why we’ve compiled a quick guide below that explains what nursing home abuse is and we’ve also provided some actionable tips for anyone confronted with this issue. 

What is nursing home abuse?

It’s important to first define nursing home abuse so it’s easier for you to understand what it is as it usually goes beyond what we connect to the term. Nursing home abuse comes in many different forms and it’s not always that easy to recognize it.

According to recent research, more than 5 million elderly US citizens experience nursing home abuse. Such a high number is definitely concerning and that’s why it’s important to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to your closest ones.

Nursing home abuse occurs when caregivers, staff, or even other residents cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm to an elderly resident. It can range from obvious physical abuse to more subtle forms of mistreatment, such as neglect, emotional abuse, or financial exploitation that are a bit more difficult to spot.

According to an experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer, there are several signs of nursing home abuse that you need to be on the lookout for:

• Change in mood and the need to isolate oneself
• Your loved one seems untidy and lacks regular hygiene
• The resident has bruises or other signs of physical abuse

Emotional abuse is maybe the most difficult to spot, especially if you don’t have the chance to see your loved one regularly. That’s why you need to keep an eye out for any sudden changes in their mood and behavior.

Tips for addressing nursing home abuse

Facing nursing home abuse can be emotionally draining, but there are steps families can take to ensure their loved ones’ safety. And you don’t have to go through it alone as there are always other resources you can contact for support, starting from the local authorities to seeking legal counsel. 

Document everything

It’s necessary to have a large evidence pool and to document everything in order to build a strong case. That’s why you should keep a record of any suspicious incidents or signs of abuse. 

Take photos of injuries, record dates of unusual behavior, and maintain a log of your observations. This evidence may prove invaluable should legal action be required later on. 

Also, if you manage to find any witnesses who can corroborate what you say, that’s definitely a plus. They can confirm your allegations and help you speed up the process.

Communicate with nursing home management

Sometimes abuse stems from understaffing or mismanagement rather than outright malicious intent. The first thing you should do in such cases is address your concerns with the facility’s management and request an internal investigation. 

While it’s essential to communicate respectfully, being persistent can prompt action and prevent further harm. By being persistent, you also demonstrate that you’re not planning on backing down and are willing to go through the process until the situation is resolved.

Report the abuse

If abuse is suspected, it should be reported to the appropriate authorities. The US Administration for Community Living provides a nationwide resource directory for reporting elder abuse.

Take a look at their website to find the correct person to reach out to. The website also offers other in-depth information that you might find useful. If you’re still not sure who to reach out to, you can simply dial 911 for further information.

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Seek legal support

As mentioned, nursing home abuse can be complex, both emotionally and legally, and that’s why you simply need to get some legal counsel. Nursing home abuse often involves state laws and you may be confused by all the legal jargon. 

This can complicate the legal process and cause you to lose the settlement so having a professional on your side is definitely a plus.

The best part is that many law firms offer free consultations so you don’t have to worry about the financial aspect of it all. Just make sure to find a trustworthy professional you can turn to for advice and guidance. 

The final word

Nursing home abuse is no light matter and it’s important that you take immediate action if you come to even suspect nursing home abuse. Hopefully, this quick guide helps you a bit and provides some insight into what you can do if you happen to notice any signs of abuse.

By gathering all the evidence and witness statements, you’re already on a good way towards building a strong case for your settlement. 

Also, to make things easier to navigate, make sure to reach out to a professional attorney that’s experienced in the issue. They can help provide all the necessary information and take some of the burden off of you.

All in all, it’s important to be patient and seek support when you feel lost. That’s the only way to get through the situation without a lot of stress and pressure.

Photo credit: HWM.