There are multiple reasons why family members place their loved ones in a nursing home. Sometimes the person needs constant care that the family can’t afford or provide. Typically, there is nothing wrong with placing your loved one in a nursing home. However, there are a few cases where the elderly are taken advantage of or even abused by people in the nursing home.
According to nursing home abuse lawyers Garcia Law, “Nearly 1 in 10 nursing homes violate requirements potentially causing residents harm, serious injury, or possibly death. Long-term care facilities, assisted living, and other senior living programs are designed to provide a safe, caring, and worry-free environment for you and your family member but unfortunately, some homes place profit before people.” Since you want to be sure that your loved one is properly cared for, make sure to look for these signs to see if your loved one is being abused.
Bruising
If your loved one is being physically abused, you will notice signs of bruising or injury. Sometimes, an elderly individual will get a bruise because their body is weak, so one bruise does not always mean something bad is going on. However, if you notice multiple bruises on a regular basis, you need to talk with your loved one about it.
Stress
Being in a nursing home can cause stress, but if you notice that your usually calm grandmother is now always on edge, it could be because she is being abused. Take note of your loved one’s behavior and see if you can pinpoint a reason. If not, keep in mind that something may be going on you need to evaluate.
Mood
Besides being stressed, abuse can also change your loved one’s mood. Look for signs of depression, such as lack of appetitie, fatigue, etc. If your loved one is showing any of these symptoms, then it may be a good idea to get him or her to a doctor to be evaluated. Keep in mind that other things, such as a change in medication, can also cause mood swings. While it may not be a tell-tale sign of abuse, it’s still something to consider.
Doctor Discussions
Sometimes abuse happens and there aren’t any physical signs. This is why you should always try to talk with the doctor about their behavior and exams. They may be able to tell you about something that’s going on underneath the surface, such as elevated stress levels, a lack of eating, or other signs that something is going on.
Verbal Announcement
Sometimes your loved one simply doesn’t know that they are being abused, or maybe they don’t want to admit it because they’re afraid it wll get worse. This is why some don’t just admit it. However, if you do have a brave loved one who tells you that he or she is being abused, or even that someone else in the nursing home is being abused, you need to take it seriously. Yes, there is always a possibility that nothing is going on, but you should never make your loved one feel uneasy about telling you, especially if it turns out to be true.
What to Do if Your Loved One is Abused
Finding out that your loved one was abused in a nursing home can be stressful, but it’s up to you to ensure that he or she gets the proper care and that the situation is handled properly. The first thing you need to do is remove your loved one from the nursing home to ensure the absue stops. After that, it’s in your best interest to find a nurshing home abuse lawyer to help look into the allegation and provide you with the best possible help. This way, your loved one will be properly cared for, and the nursing home will be dealth with legally.
If you notice these signs of abuse on your loved one, make sure you contact a lawyer right away to discuss your options. Doing so can give you the legal authority you need to make changes, and it can also hold peple responsible for their actions against the one you love.