According to the 577 nurses who participated in a survey in long-term facilities, 81% of the staff revealed that they’ve seen emotional elder abuse. Yelling and insulting are the most frequent behaviors they observe. In 452 family members who participated in a survey of nursing home residents, approximately 24% reported at least one physical abuse.
Between 2002 and 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention treated over 600,000 older individuals for nonfatal assaults in the emergency room. That number is the fact that mistreatment or abuse can happen at any time possible, and if your loved one is in a transition to a nursing home, you have to take a thorough review of the nursing home you chose for your loved one.
If your loved one is already in a nursing home, watch out for any signs that your loved one is being mistreated, and if you believe that they are experiencing it, contact and reach out to a nursing home abuse center for guidance and support.
This discussion will help you recognize mistreatment. From identifying red flags to navigating the reporting process, we’ll provide you with the information and resources necessary to advocate for your loved one and make sure they will receive the care and respect they deserve.
Recognizing the Signs of Mistreatment
You can spot the changes both physically and emotionally. In physical terms, it can be unexplained bruises, cuts, or bedsores. Weight loss, poor hygiene, or unexplained injuries are also red flags. In emotional abuse, if your loved one suddenly becomes withdrawn, anxious, or depressed, belittling or controlling behavior from the staff.
Financial exploitation may be evident if your loved one’s finances are being mismanaged or if there are sudden changes in their financial situation. Neglect can be identified by observing poor living conditions, a lack of assistance with daily activities, or inadequate medical care.
People who work in nursing homes, their bosses, their nurses, and even the nursing home itself could be held accountable for abuse and neglect. A Jacksonville nursing home abuse attorney explains that the legal concept of “vicarious liability” is often used in these cases. The idea is that someone can be blamed for what another person does.
Documenting and Gathering Evidence
Making records can help you build a strong case and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The first thing that needs to be done to gather proof is to write down any injuries, bruises, bedsores, or other visible signs of abuse. Take clear pictures of these wounds, and be sure to show how bad they are by taking pictures of them from different angles and up close. Write down everything that you hear or see, or that your loved one tells you about talks or events. Write down the date, time, place, and names of any staff members who will be there.
See if you can get accounts from other residents or staff who may have seen or heard something. Also, make sure you get any medical papers or other paperwork from the nursing home that is relevant. These can be used as proof of neglect or abuse. Store all the proof somewhere safe and sound because you will need it to take legal action against the nursing home.
Reporting the Abuse to the Proper Authorities
Once you have gathered and written down the proof, the next step is to tell the right people about the abuse. Start by calling the Adult Protective Services (APS) service in your area. APS is in charge of looking into reports of adults who are weak being abused, neglected, or exploited. They are allowed to step in and do what needs to be done to protect their loved ones.
You can also get in touch with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman service in your state. Ombudsmen are assigned to look out for the rights of people who live in long-term care homes and can help people who want to report abuse.
You should be ready to give as much information as possible when you report the abuse. This includes the name and location of the nursing home, the names of the staff members who hurt your loved one, and a detailed account of what happened.
Seeking Support and Advocacy for Your Loved One
You can get help and support for your loved one by getting in touch with elder care resources and groups. These groups can help you make sure your loved one is safe and healthy by giving you useful information, tools, and advice.
- Your call to the National Center on Elder Abuse will be answered by someone who can help you deal with the issue of elder abuse. They can tell you how to report abuse, what your legal rights are, and what support services are in your area.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: These people speak up for people who live in long-term care homes. They can look into complaints, act as a mediator, and work with building staff to find solutions.
Besides that, you might want to get help from area senior centers, community groups, and support groups for families of nursing home residents. People in these groups have been through the same things you are going through and can offer you emotional support, help, and direction.
Exploring Legal Options and Seeking Justice
Taking formal action would not only make things right for you, but it would also stop other people from going through the same thing. Talk to a lawyer who specializes in nursing home abuse cases to find out what your legal rights and choices are.
They can help you figure out what the best thing to do is and walk you through the process. You should have the paper, which keeps track of all the conversations and events that happened because of the mistreatment. Your lawyer can help you get more proof, like surveillance footage or the views of experts.
Remember that getting justice for your loved one can take a long time and be hard, but it’s worth it to make sure they get the care they deserve and hold those guilty accountable.
Conclusion
If you suspect your loved one is being mistreated in a nursing home, take immediate action.
Recognize the signs, document and gather evidence, and report the abuse to the authorities.
Seek support and advocacy for your loved one to secure their well-being. By taking legal action, justice is our weapon to hold those accountable for their actions.