Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse Or Neglect Article

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Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect

Unfortunately, nursing home patients are often the victims of physical and emotional abuse and/or neglect. In fact, federal reports show that at least 30 percent of all nursing home facilities nationwide have been cited for incidents of abuse.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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When our loved ones are placed in nursing home, full-time care environments, we put our trust in the management, attending physicians, nurses and other staff to take excellent care of our family members.

That is why it is increasingly important for family members of patients to take an active role, visit often and at irregular times, and be aware of the types of nursing home abuse and neglect that can happen and the signs that they could be occurring.

Types of Nursing Home Patient Abuse

• Shoving, shaking, slapping, scratching, punching
• Withholding medication
• Overmedicating
• Locking patient in room against his/her will
• Unacceptable physical restraint
• Sexual abuse
• Wrongful death

Types of Nursing Home Patient Neglect

• Failure to provide nutrition and liquids
• Leaving a mentally patient unsupervised
• Failure to administer medications or provide healthcare services
• Unsanitary conditions/failure to bathe
• Failure to prevent bed sores or falls

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
The following can be signs of nursing home abuse or neglect and deserve further investigation on the part of family members:

• Unusual bleeding, bruises, scratches or welts, especially in varying degrees of healing
• Unexplained broken bones or falls
• Blood on clothing or bed linens
• Presence of a physical restraint on bed/wheelchair
• Patient apprehension, agitation and fear around specific staff members, or when you make sudden movements toward them
• Changes in medical or emotional condition that could be tied to medication withholding or failure to administer
• Poor hygiene (unbathed, uncombed hair, urine on clothes)
• Bed sores or pressure ulcers
• Staff not allowing you to be alone with the patient or preventing some visits

What To Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
If you believe that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, here are the first steps you can take:

• Research the situation. Ask for facility daily reports, doctor’s notes, etc. Speak with the home administrator.
• If you believe the abuse is ongoing, remove your family member from the facility as quickly as possible and contact local law enforcement.
• Consult with a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney. Your loved one may be able to pursue compensation for the injuries incurred through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

About Author

Do you need more information about nursing home abuse and medical malpractice? Take advantage of the resources available through the website of Salt Lake City, Utah’s G. Eric Nielson & Associates, LLC, a law firm that specializes in nursing home abuse and neglect cases.

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