What to Do If You Suspect a Loved One is Being Abused in a Nursing Home

Nursing home abuse cases are more common than many people imagine, and they can often be difficult to identify. These can go from simple negligence to malicious attacks. In some rare instances, they can even lead to death. If you suspect that someone you know is being abused in a nursing home, you need to take the steps necessary to ensure their safety and hold the proper parties accountable. Here’s what you can do if you think a loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse.

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Know the Signs of Abuse

Nursing home abuse can sometimes be subtle and victims are often reluctant to speak out. It may be because they’re confused, or don’t want to stir trouble. Others may be scared to face more abuse if they speak out. This is why you need to keep your eyes peeled for the signs of abuse and act immediately if you spot any of them.

There are many types of elder abuse. One is psychological. This usually takes the form of verbal attacks. In this case, look for early signs of depression, sudden mood changes, or emotional distress.

Financial abuse is when staff take advantage of residents financially. They will often manipulate those suffering with cognitive decline. The only way to truly know if there’s abuse here is to check their accounts often as many will refuse to report these kinds of incidents.

The last one is physical abuse. It is often the worst type of abuse, but the easiest to identify. Watch for irregular cuts or bruises. Also try to check if their attitude suddenly changes when they see certain members of the staff. Check if some of their conditions are deteriorating faster than they should be as well. This could show neglect, which is another form of physical abuse.

Call a Lawyer

If you still need to know more about the signs of abuse and whether or not you have a case, only a lawyer will be able to help. Make sure that they’re familiar with these kinds of cases as well, and that they’re reputable in your area. Experts like Regan Zambri Long are a good example. Teams like these will help you identify the signs of abuse quickly and help you do everything right so you can get full compensation.

Document Everything

If you want to be able to build a solid case, you need to start gathering as much evidence as possible. The first thing you should do is take notes of your observations. If you see any signs of physical abuse, try to take as many pictures as you can, but stay discreet. If they have a roommate, that’s someone that could be used as a witness, so try to ask them questions about incidents as well.

Ask them what they think about the staff. You might be able to tell a lot about how they’re being treated by their demeanor and the way they answer questions. You should also know that many states have adult protection services that will allow victims or family of victims to report abuse and get assistance.

If you suspect someone close to you is suffering from elder abuse, it is your responsibility to act swiftly. Gather as much information as you can, and seek help immediately.