Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

 Posted on May 31, 2018 in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

As the Baby Boomer generation ages, more and more individuals are seeking the 24/7 care that nursing homes offer. One study suggests that over half of the current U.S population will need to stay in a nursing home, at least temporarily, at one point in their lives or another. Unfortunately, some nursing homes are not able to manage the increasing number of residents. Understaffed nursing homes or staff who are not properly trained can leave residents without the help and resources they need. When left unchecked, nursing home neglect and abuse can be deadly.

Nursing Home Abuse and Mistreatment Shockingly Common

The most vulnerable among us deserve to be cared for and respected by nursing home staff. Sadly, many nursing home residents find themselves in facilities that do not make residents’ needs the staff’s top priority. Some nursing home staff even purposely harm the residents. A congressional report found that almost a third of all U.S nursing homes were guilty of safety and regulatory violations which put residents at increased risk of harm. Surveys show that almost half of nursing home residents have reported being mistreated at some point in their stay. Even more concerning, an astounding 95 percent of nursing home residents claim to have personally witnessed staff neglecting other residents.

Warning Signs of Abuse and Neglect

One of the most tragic realities about nursing home abuse and neglect is that many residents are unable to communicate what is happening to them. Residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can be especially vulnerable to mistreatment. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, be on the lookout for signs of neglect or abuse such as:

• Staff who are uninterested in resident’s well-being: It goes without saying that someone who works in a nursing home should have a passion for helping the sick and elderly. Nursing home staff who are slow to answer questions or seem uninterested in discussing concerns may be red flags that something is not right at the facility;
• Noticeable personality changes or mood swings: If your usually-talkative loved one is suddenly not speaking or acting like themselves, this could be a sign they are being over-medicated or otherwise victimized by nursing home staff; and
• Unexplained physical symptoms or injuries: It is understandable that residents in a nursing home may bruise or otherwise be injured during the course of their everyday activities. However, physical symptoms or injuries which staff cannot reasonably account for may be signs of abuse.

Contact an Experienced Lawyer for Help

If you believe you or your loved one were neglected or abused during a nursing home stay, contact the dedicated Rockford nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law today. To schedule your free consultation with our office, call 815-215-7561.

Sources:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=92689&page=1

https://health.usnews.com/health-news/best-nursing-homes/articles/2013/02/26/9-warning-signs-of-bad-care