By Mitch Rice
The concept of nursing home abuse is one that few people want to grapple with. Placing a loved one in a nursing home is already a major decision that requires a tremendous adjustment, but even the thought of someone you care about being hurt at the hands of another can send you into a whirlwind of grief that feels nearly impossible to get out of. Perhaps someone close to you resides in a nursing home and you are starting to notice some unsettling changes that just don’t seem right. You’re hoping that there is no abuse, but can’t be too sure. Read through the information below to learn about some of the more common signs of nursing home abuse so you’ll know what to look for and can recognize when the unthinkable is happening to the person you care about.
Injuries Seem To Come Out Of Nowhere
When you are trying to determine if a loved one is being abused in a nursing home, some of the first things you should be on the lookout for are unaccounted-for injuries. Keep in mind that having your loved one tell you about an incident that mistakenly occurred is a totally separate matter. Maybe they bumped the wall while maneuvering in the shower, or endured a scratch because they scraped against a sharp object while they weren’t paying attention. However, things change when injuries appear that have no known source of origin. When this happens, it is best to dig deeper because there could be abuse happening without you knowing it.
Changes In Behavior
If you are used to your loved one being extremely open and gregarious each time you visit, but begin to notice a decline in their talkativeness, this is definitely something to take note of. Some people have a tendency to become withdrawn when they are being abused because they may fear the repercussions that could come from speaking about it. The more time you spend with your friend or family member, the more you will be aware of their personality patterns. This is key because if your relative goes from being bright and cheery to guarded and sullen, you most definitely want to find out why this is happening. The quality moments you’ve spent with them should be viewed as deposits in a trust account that can be dipped into when you need your loved one to be honest and upfront with you concerning the treatment they are experiencing. This ability to be open could make all the difference in the world.
Don’t Ignore Nursing Home Abuse
Once the signs of abuse are there, it is time for you to take action. No amount of abuse or neglect should be tolerated because it doesn’t take much for the situation to turn fatal. The best thing to do in these types of situations is to reach out to a compassionate nursing home abuse lawyer immediately. Set up a consultation with them and bring as much evidence as possible so the legal professional can start an investigation. Always remember that partnering with the right attorney is the first step toward getting your relative out of danger and on the road to a brighter future.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.