Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect in Lakewood

The risk of an elderly person facing abuse is higher than many people might think. Sadly, so many of these instances of abuse and neglect go unreported. Those who live in nursing homes are vulnerable. They are often injured, suffering medical issues, or dealing with memory loss. This creates a scenario in which it is easy for bad actors to take advantage of these individuals. There are warning signs of nursing home neglect in Lakewood that the elderly resident’s loved ones can watch for in an effort to avoid continued abuse of their loved ones.

Observing these signs will help you determine if your loved one in a nursing home is dealing with abuse. An experienced attorney can help you handle this situation and fight for the compensation your family deserves.

What is Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing home abuse occurs in many different ways. An elderly person is incredibly vulnerable to those who would take advantage of them. They are often isolated, suffer from memory loss, or are physically infirm. Elderly residents are not often able to fight back against their abusers, and are often disbelieved when they attempt to tell others of the abuse.

Looking for the signs of abuse in nursing homes can prompt a proper investigation into the claims. If the claims are correct, the abuse can be stopped, and compensation may be sought to help improve the life of the elderly patient and their family.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is one of the more common types of abuse elderly patients suffer. Signs of physical abuse include:

• Broken bones, sprains, dislocations
• Bruising, welts, bedsores, or scars on the resident’s body
• Failure to take proper medications or physical therapy
• Broken eyeglasses, personal medical equipment, or personal items
• Appearance of fear by elderly patient
• Rope marks on the patient’s wrists
• Malnutrition
• Complaints of pain unrelated to known medical condition

Physical abuse is commonly covered up by keeping patients isolated from their loved ones, or the suspicious requirement that loved ones never be alone with the elderly resident.

Emotional Abuse by Staff

Emotional abuse by nursing home staff can cause great harm to elderly patients. Signs and symptoms include unusual behavior unrelated to medical condition; patient in fear apparently for no reason; or witnessing controlling, insulting, or threatening behavior towards the patient.

Emotional abuse may cause just as much harm as physical abuse. It can quickly lead to physical effects, suicide, or other harmful effects.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in nursing homes is a prevalent problem, but signs exist that can put loved ones on notice of possible sexual abuse:

• Patient getting STD’s, especially if unexplained
• Bruising or bleeding around private areas
• Torn, stained, or bloody undergarments
• Claims of sexual abuse by patient or other patients

Sexual abuse is a pervasive issue in nursing homes. Knowing these warning signs can help prevent continued abuse of a loved one. An experienced nursing home attorney can help guide the elderly patient and their family through this difficult time.

Financial Exploitation and Healthcare Fraud

Elderly patients often suffer financial exploitation at the hands of businesses or individual workers in the nursing home. This form of exploitation can occur in a variety of ways. For example, many elderly patients are convinced to change their wills, provide staff access to their credit or debit cards, or even odd purchases made as gifts to nursing home staff.

Healthcare fraud can take the form of overbilling, billing for services not provided, and evidence of poor care despite full payment for services.

Consult a Nursing Home Attorney in Lakewood

With the help of nursing home lawyer, your observation of the warning signs of nursing home neglect in Lakewood can be utilized to put a stop to the abuse. Contact our firm today for a consultation of your case.