Examples Of Types Of Nursing Home Abuse
Do you have a loved one that is currently living in a nursing home? If so, you may have concerns about how they are being treated when you are not around. Here are some examples of different kinds of abuse that they may be experiencing
Physical Abuse and Neglect
The most obvious type of abuse is going to be physical abuse. While you may think that you only need to watch out for abuse that leads to clear injuries, like a broken bone, there may be more subtle injuries that you need to look out for.
For example, if a loved one is confined to a bed for most of the day, they can easily develop bedsores if their care is neglected by the nursing home staff. This is done by them laying in the same position for too long, which causes pressure to build up on their skin. You may also notice that your loved one had odd bruising or welts due to not being handled with care while being assisted in getting in and out of their bed or a wheelchair.
Physical abuse can also take the form of not being given their prescriptions. This can cause physical effects within their body that cause them to feel unwell and may be hard to identify when you visit. Make sure you understand what medications your loved one should be taking, and what happens if they do not receive their medication regularly.
Emotional Abuse
It is very difficult to diagnose emotional abuse on your own, but there are some behaviors to be on the lookout for. Your loved one may be developing new behaviors that are a result of emotional abuse. They may start rocking in their chair without explanation or developing an odd behavior like thumb sucking.
Watch out for how other caretakers are treating other people in the facility while you visit. Do they threaten residents or belittle them in your presence? If so, think about what they may be doing to your loved one when you are not around.
These are just a few examples of the type of abuse that can happen in a nursing home. If you have suspicions that your loved one is suffering from abuse due to a caretaker, reach out to a nursing home abuse attorney who specializes in these situations. They can help build a case against the nursing home and help you receive compensation that can get your loved one into a better facility.
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