Do You Know the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse?

When a loved one is in a nursing home, your expectation is that the nursing home providers will care for them. You want them to be treated like family.

There are some signs that you should be aware of that abuse may be taking place, though, even if the nursing home looks like a wonderful facility while you’re touring it. Knowing the signs can help you protect your loved one when others aren’t doing their jobs to keep the residents safe and free from harm.

Some Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

There are many signs of nursing home and elder abuse, but some of the most common include:

• Sudden changes in behavior or mood caused by missed medications, physical or emotional abuse

• Poor hygiene

• Malnutrition

• Dehydration

• A sudden, rapid decline in health after moving to the facility

• Falls

• Infections that recur

• Bedsores

While many of these issues could be explained away by old age or problems with your loved one’s health, the reality is that they can also be signs of nursing home abuse. It’s not fair for your loved one to endure abuse in their twilight years when they’re dealing with declining health, so look for signs of physical, emotional or even financial abuse. If you see red flags, speak with the head nurse, the medical providers at the facility or the director to get answers. If they can’t help, then it’s time to speak with your attorney.

If you believe that your loved one is being taken advantage of or has been abused in a nursing home, speak up and get them the help they need. You may be the difference between a painful existence and one in which they can live the remainder of their life receiving the appropriate care.