When your loved one is in a nursing home, you expect that they will get the care and attention they need to live with dignity. Sadly, that is not always the case as residents can be subject to neglect, financial exploitation, emotional abuse, or physical harm. Unfortunately, because the staff who inflict these pains on your loved one know how to either intimidate them into silence or hide the injuries, you may not be able to tell for sure, even if you suspect.
However, not all hope is lost, as we will show you how to detect the warning signs of nursing home abuse in Largo, MD. If you suspect your relative is being hurt, an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer at Burnett Injury Group can help prove it. Contact us today to seek legal help for your loved one.
A thorough understanding and identification of the warning signs of nursing home abuse in Largo, MD, can help people determine when to protect their elder relative by seeking legal help from a nursing home attorney. Abuse in nursing homes and assisted living facilities typically falls into five categories: neglect, physical assault, sexual assault, financial exploitation, and psychological abuse. It is important to look out for these warning signs and take action when you suspect something is wrong.
Seniors who are victims of neglect or abandonment often look disheveled, untidy, have bed sores, or look like they have not been cared for. Their health condition may also worsen due to missed medications. Other signs include body odor, cracked or chapped lips, dirty clothing, unmade beds, grown nails, rough-looking hair, reduced mobility, and urinary tract infections.
This usually takes the form of a nursing home staff member hitting, biting, slapping, shaking, dragging, or unduly applying restraints to the resident. Signs of mistreatment often include scratches, bruises, burn marks, muscle sprains, bone fractures, and swelling. Abused elders may also become anxious or agitated when the abuser enters the room.
Sexual abuse involves non-consensual sexual activity or contact between residents or staff, with female residents recording a higher percentage of incidents. Signs include bruising in the genital area, sexually transmitted infections, bloodstained or torn clothing, body fluid-stained bedspread, or vaginal bleeding. Sometimes, victims also show signs of physical abuse.
This is often carried out by fellow residents, staff members, or even guests who misappropriate the residents’ monies or steal from them. Warning signs include unexplained charges on their bank or credit card statements, unusual purchases, or substantial bank transfers or withdrawals, as well as strange changes to their Will, bank accounts, or power of attorney. Missing credit/debit cards, money, or bank documents, and unexplained estate planning alterations can also be a red flag.
This is often in the form of verbal assault, name-calling, threats, isolation, public embarrassment, or bullying. Signs include withdrawal from communal activities, depression, unexplained fearfulness, and reluctance to communicate with relatives. The perpetrator may also prevent regular access to the resident, which can bring its own form of danger.
With the guidance and legal representation from Burnett Injury Group, loved ones can collect evidence, identify offenders, file an injury claim against them, and recover damages for their injured family member.
You may take additional steps such as reporting the nursing home or its staff to state authorities, licensing agencies like the Maryland Office of Healthcare Quality (OHCQ), and other relevant agencies. These agencies can penalize the facilities, sanction or even suspend the offending staffer, or ensure the nursing home or assisted living facilities are up to standard. Call us to discuss the possible warning signs you are seeing of nursing home abuse, and relieve your loved one from this distressing situation.