Is Your Loved One a Victim of Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing Home Attorney

Abuse comes in many forms and if you believe your loved one was the victim of nursing home abuse, you may be wondering what signs to look out for and what those repercussions might be. Abuse is not always obvious physical abuse. Instead, it could come in the form of neglect, financial abuse, or even emotional abuse. Because of the circumstances your loved one is in when they are in a nursing home and how vulnerable that makes them, you may not be fully aware of what they have gone through at the hands of a caretaker or another resident at the nursing home. 

What Does It Mean to Be Neglected in a Nursing Home? 

If you are concerned that your loved one may have been neglected inside a nursing home, you need to fully understand what this means. The caretakers at a nursing home must provide your loved one and the other residents with a certain level of care and attention. This means that not only are they giving them food and water but they should also give residents: 

  • The help they need to move in bed so they do not get bed sores
  • Help with their hygiene, like taking a bath or using the restroom
  • Care and attention instead of ignoring them when they need something
  • Their medication at the right time and in the proper doses

What Should I Do if I Suspect My Loved One Is a Victim of Abuse? 

It is not always as simple to pull your loved one out of a nursing home when they need round-the-clock care and medical attention. However, you can file a complaint with the local nursing home agency and see if there are other nursing homes nearby where you can place your loved one or see if you can get an in-home nurse if the abuse or neglect has gotten bad. The first and most important thing you can do is make sure your loved one is safe. 

Will Making a Complaint Cause Them Further Problems in the Nursing Home? 

Not necessarily. In fact, it could draw more attention to the way your loved one is being treated and ensure that the person you believe is harming them stops. This can give you enough time to find a new, safe place for your loved one to stay. 
If you are looking for an attorney, like a Washington, DC nursing home attorney from a law firm like The Law Office of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C., then you may have a better chance of getting your loved one compensation for the injuries they have sustained at their nursing home.