The Top Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

 Posted on December 19, 2022 in Nursing Home Abuse

State and federal laws are designed to protect nursing home residents and assisted living residents from abuse. Unfortunately, protecting residents is easier said than done. Nursing home residents may not be able to say they are abused because they have dementia or are afraid to speak up. Loved ones need to be their advocates. 

Nursing home abuse can take many forms, from emotional to physical. If your loved one is spending their last years at a nursing home, they deserve dignity and quality care. More than 1.4 million people are living in nursing homes. This blog will cover how to recognize the signs of physical abuse in a nursing home resident.

Noticing Nursing Home Abuse

Abuse is prevalent in nursing homes because many older people are vulnerable to abuse due to health issues, including conditions causing cognitive impairment. Detecting nursing home abuse may not be easy, but your loved ones are counting on you to be vigilant. Here are some signs that may indicate abuse:

• Physical Injuries – This is probably the most obvious sign of nursing home abuse. Physical injuries can range from minor scrapes to broken bones. Staff can easily explain minor injuries as the result of thin skin or fragility, but this may not be the truth. Make sure you always request an explanation and have others corroborate the events. 

• Weight Loss – An abnormal amount of weight loss needs to be investigated because it could be a sign of malnutrition or stress due to circumstances at the facility.

• Increased Isolation – Patient withdrawal could be a sign of depression. Sometimes residents have a difficult time adapting to their new environment, but if they stop engaging in activities and isolating themselves, it could be a sign of abuse.

• Odd Behavior – Unusual behavior should always be a red flag. If your loved one appears disoriented or anxious, it could be due to overmedication or abuse.

• Fear of Caregivers – Changes in the relationship with the person they have learned to trust could be a result of emotional abuse.

• Bedsores – If your loved one has mobility restrictions, they rely on staff to change their position throughout the day. If that is not being done, bedsores develop. Untreated bed sores can become infected.

• Issues Sleeping – Trouble sleeping can be due to anxiety about things that may be happening to them at the facility, injury, or poor positioning in bed.

Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If you believe your loved one is being abused at a nursing home, contact a Cook County nursing home abuse attorney at Schwartz Injury Law. We will take the necessary step to seek justice for your loved one and compensation for damages. Call 312-535-4625 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1222&ChapterID=21

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1225&ChapterID=21

https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/Report-Increasing-Nursing-Home-Staffing-Minimums-Estimated-at-$10-Billion-Annually.aspx

https://oig.hhs.gov/reports-and-publications/featured-topics/nursing-homes/