Nursing home residents put their trust in the staff members of the facility where they live. They pay to have the assistance they need and most staff members provide it without any issues. Unfortunately, there are instances in which residents are abused by staff.
Anyone who has a loved one in a nursing home should understand the signs of nursing home abuse. Understanding the signs may help individuals to put a stop to abuse if it occurs.
Unexplained injuries or bruises
Bruises or other obvious injuries can often be the result of physical abuse, such as hitting, restraining or handling the person roughly. Family members should pay close attention to any signs of injury, especially if they appear regularly or if the explanations provided by the staff don’t match the severity or type of injury.
Sudden changes in behavior or mood
A significant shift in a resident’s behavior or mood can be indicative of abuse. This might manifest as increased fearfulness, anxiety, depression or withdrawal from social interactions. These changes, particularly if they appear suddenly, suggest that the resident may be experiencing psychological or emotional abuse that causes them to feel unsafe, threatened, or humiliated.
Poor personal hygiene or living conditions
Neglect is a form of abuse that can be identified through the resident’s personal hygiene or the cleanliness of their living conditions. If a resident who previously maintained a certain level of cleanliness starts to show signs of poor hygiene, it may indicate that the nursing home staff isn’t providing adequate care.
Unexplained weight loss or signs of malnutrition
Unexplained weight loss or signs of malnutrition can signal that a resident isn’t receiving proper nutritional care. This could be due to neglect, where the person isn’t being provided with enough food or the right type of food. It could also indicate more deliberate forms of abuse, such as withholding food as a form of punishment.
Reluctance to speak in front of staff members
If a nursing home resident becomes noticeably reluctant or fearful to speak in the presence of staff members, it may suggest that they are being intimidated or mistreated. This behavior can be a defense mechanism to avoid further abuse, indicating that the resident doesn’t feel safe around certain caregivers.
Dealing with nursing home abuse must be done swiftly because of the statute of limitations imposed by the state. Victims can seek compensation for the financial damages they’re dealing with due to their injuries. Working with a legal representative is beneficial in these situations, partially because they can help to explain the options at hand and get the case moving forward while the victim heals from their trauma.
