Five Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

With numerous baby boomers entering their golden years and life expectancies on the rise due to advances in health care, the demand for nursing home care has never been higher. While most nursing homes and assisted living facilities are respectable establishments, unfortunately, many are staffed with poorly trained or vetted caretakers, leading to the neglect or even outright abuse of elderly residents. In fact, the Special Investigations Division of the House Government Reform Committee has estimated that roughly 10 percent of all seniors will fall victim to some form of nursing home abuse.

While physical abuse can leave obvious signs such as cuts, bruises or other visual evidence, other forms of mistreatment can be far more subtle and difficult to identify. If your loved one is currently receiving care in a nursing home or assisted living facility, it is imperative you keep a watchful eye for any of the following possible signs of abuse.

The following are all tell-tale signs of nursing home abuse and neglect:

1. Mysterious injuries: The most glaring signs of physical abuse are unexplained injuries. From cuts and scrapes to head injuries and bone fractures, these types of injuries may be intentionally inflicted or the result of falls caused by inattention. Genital bruising may also be indicative of sexual abuse.
2. Unexplained changes in behavior: Elderly residents who are ignored, isolated, humiliated, or otherwise psychologically tormented will often exhibit uncharacteristic behavioral changes, such as reclusiveness, fear, or disrupted sleeping and eating cycles.
3. Dehydration and malnourishment: Many elderly residents are forced to adjust to life in a nursing home due to an inability to feed themselves or keep up with special diets. Ignoring these needs can result in serious medical complications or even death.
4. Poor personal hygiene: Even basic tasks such as bathing, brushing teeth, or changing clothes can be a struggle for the elderly, particularly those who suffer from dementia. Un-brushed teeth, dirty clothing, unchanged diapers, or painful bed sores from lack of movement are often clear signs of neglectful care.
5. Missing personal belongings or money: One of the most egregious ways nursing home staff may abuse the elderly is by coercing them into revealing sensitive financial information, granting them the ability to withdraw money from bank accounts and more.

Stand Up for Your Loved One with Traywick Law Offices

If you have reason to believe that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, our Charleston nursing home abuse attorneys at Traywick Law Offices can provide the aggressive representation you need to protect their rights and hold those responsible accountable for their wrongdoing. Having recovered numerous six-figure settlements on behalf of our injured clients, we have the vast legal knowledge and experience to help you pursue justice.

We proudly serve clients throughout Berkeley, Dorchest, and Charleston Counties. Call (843) 343-5092 or fill out an online form today to discuss your case in detail.