When your loved one first moves into a nursing home or other assisted living program, you trust that they’ll be treated well and with respect so they can have the assistance they need. However, in some situations, the elderly deal with neglect or abuse. Over 40% of nursing home residents in the U.S. have reported abuse, and over 90% have reported that either they or another resident have suffered from neglect in a nursing home.
At what point should you seek the assistance of a nursing home neglect and abuse lawyer? Here are a few situations that might require lawyers to take legal steps to protect your loved ones.
Trust Your Loved One
If you’re keeping in close contact with your loved one while they are in a nursing home, they might tell you when they’ve been mistreated by the nursing home staff. If they do so, listen to them and pay attention to what they describe, and ask them what they would like you to do to help them through this situation. However, not everyone in assisted living programs will be able to tell you when abuse is occurring, so be on the lookout for common signs of abuse or neglect.
Signs Of Physical Abuse
In some situations, elders can experience physical abuse from their caretakers in nursing homes. Look for physical signs of harm, including bruises or other injuries. An abusive caretaker may lie to cover up the abuse, so ask your loved one directly about where the injuries came from if possible. Abusive caretakers may also administer medications improperly, confine someone when unnecessary, and so on, so physical abuse may not always leave visible signs of injury. If these signs are there, it might be time to nursing home abuse lawyer.
Signs Of Neglect
Neglect is another form of abuse that doesn’t always have obvious physical signs. A neglectful caretaker may not always be intentionally abusive, but the end result may include physical harm or emotional distress. If a caretaker is neglecting their responsibilities and not properly caring for your loved one, it might be time to hire a nursing home neglect lawyer.
Elder abuse can be incredibly harmful, but there are legal steps you can take to protect your loved ones. For more information, contact Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico today.
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