When you make the difficult decision to place a loved one in a nursing home, you are trusting that facility to provide them with the same care you’d give them yourself. Nursing home abuse and neglect, while a scary topic, is a serious issue at facilities across the country. Knowing the warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect is the first step in being able to protect your loved ones during a possibly difficult time in their life.
Poor Personal Hygiene
One of the first things you may notice if your loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse is poor personal hygiene. This could include infections and unsanitary living conditions, and you might notice they aren’t bathing or brushing their teeth.
Physical Changes
There are numerous physical changes that could occur as a result of nursing home abuse. If you notice unexplained injuries, such a bruising, welts, broken bones, dislocations, or sprains, it’s a good idea to start questioning the type of care the patient is receiving.
A few more things to look out for are bed sores, ulcers, or open wounds. These are very serious conditions and must be addressed immediately. If you suspect nursing home abuse, be sure to document these physical changes with photos.
Psychological Changes
You may also notice if your loved one has suffered any psychological changes. The patient might be emotionally upset or agitated, suddenly non-communicative, and might fear being touched. They also might want to be isolated from others–including people they once loved to be around.
Just one of these warning signs might not be enough on its own to warrant worry. However, a combination of these nursing home warning signs should definitely raise an eyebrow.
If you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse, schedule a FREE consultation with Chicago nursing home negligence law firm Lyndsay Markley Law by calling (312) 523-2158 or emailing info@lmarkleylaw.com.
The types of nursing home negligence cases we handle include but are not limited to physical or sexual abuse, ulcers, open wounds, or bed sores, medical errors, substandard care, slips and falls, verbal, emotional, or psychological abuse, dehydration, malnutrition, and weight loss, and death.
