A nursing home should be a place where we can expect loving care and attention to be paid to our loved ones when we have to make the decision to place them there. Unfortunately, due to many factors such as understaffing, overcrowding, and staff incompetence, nursing home neglect is on the rise. In 2014, there were almost 15,000 cases of elder abuse, gross neglect, or exploitation in nursing homes reported to Ombudsman programs. Even more heart breaking is that roughly 70% of abuse comes from family or friends. So how can you tell if your family member or friend has been the victim of abuse while in their nursing home?
The most common signs of abuse can include:
- Bed sores from not having bed linens changed regularly or being moved physically
- Infection from medical issues being ignored or undiagnosed
- Broken bones, sprains, cuts, scrapes, bruises, or internal bleeding from too rough of handling by staff or from falls that could be avoided
- Visible signs of dehydration or malnutrition when staff member neglect to provide basic, regular care
- Mental or physical changes that may be brought on by medication errors
- Changes in social behavior that might be due to ongoing sexual abuse
- Financial inconsistencies that might be a result of staff member’s taking advantage of an elder's confusion or trust
If you suspect a loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home, please contact Herbert Thornbury Attorney at Law at (423) 443-3973 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced Chattanooga nursing home neglect lawyer.
