5 Tips For Detecting Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is more common than most want to admit. According to the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, physical abuse is the most common, but it also may be emotional, verbal or sexual. Detecting Nursing Home Abuse helps ensure your loved ones are safe, healthy and happy.
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Ask Questions and Listen: Ask your loved one how they feel about the care they are receiving and what they think of the staff. Listen carefully when your loved one talks and keep notes, particularly if they are unhappy or complain a lot.
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Observe the Staff: Observe the staff’s interactions with your loved one and other residents. Do they talk with respect and dignity? Are the residents needs adequately responded to or ignored?
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Watch for Physical Signs: Are there unexplained marks or explanations that don’t make sense? Are new injuries happening often? Pay close attention to hygiene. Bed sores, lice, dirty laundry and other poor hygiene may be due to neglect.
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Observe Behavior Changes: Sudden behavior changes may indicate abuse or neglect especially if they are out of character for your loved one. An increase in aggression towards family members or staff or an increase in depression, fear or moodiness, is a sign that something isn’t right.
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Listen to Other Residents: Do other residents talk about being mistreated or tell you a staff member yelled at your loved one? Your loved one may tell you stories about other residents. This may be their way of telling what’s happening to them. Take these statements seriously.
If you suspect a family member or loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, keep a running document of your suspicions and contact us at The Law Offices of David M. Benenfield for more information and a personal consultation.
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