Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in assisted living or nursing homes are at increased risk of injury due to their diminished ability to recognize danger, forget where they are, and avoid falls.
Yet, you may suspect nursing home abuse if your elderly loved one claims they have no recollection of how they fractured their hip, banged their head, or were otherwise injured.
To cover medical expenses and gain compensation for your parent’s pain and suffering, if a nursing home fails to provide sufficient care, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
A lawyer can assist you in filing a report with the appropriate authorities and ensuring your loved one’s rights are upheld if it is decided that your elderly loved one was indeed abused.
Utilize these guidelines to determine how the injury occurred and detect indicators of elder abuse.
Methods for Determining What Caused an Accident
Sometimes it’s up to you to find out what happened if your elderly loved one can’t explain how they got hurt. If you want to know what happened, here are five ways to do it.
1. Consult with Others
If your parent has a roommate, you should ask them if they witnessed anything.
2. Schedule a Care Plan Conference
Discussing this with the nursing home’s top brass is essential, so call in the administrator and the head nurse for a meeting.
3. You Should Talk to a Local Ombudsman
Report the event to the state agency that oversees nursing homes or assisted living communities if you are not satisfied with the responses you receive.
4. Look at the Surveillance Tapes
A security camera might have recorded the incident if it happened in a public place.
Keep in mind that private establishments are not required to release film unless ordered to do so by local authorities or a court.
5. Get a Medical Checkup for Them
If you’re worried that your elderly loved one may have been abused, or aren’t sure whether their injury resulted from an accident, have them examined by a doctor.
Find Out If Your Elders Are Being Mistreated
Don’t discount elder abuse just because this isn’t the first time your loved one’s health has deteriorated in mysterious ways. Statistics show that more than a third of dementia patients experience some form of abuse at the hands of their carers, be it verbal or physical mistreatment.
Some of the symptoms that an elderly person is being abused are:
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Strange Wounds
Investigate further if the bruises are particularly large or in unusual places, such as the face, neck, upper back, or chest. Aside from the obvious signs of violence, such as burns, keep an eye out for signs of physical restraint.
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Serious Injuries
An indication that anything is amiss could be the appearance of a significant injury, like a shattered bone, without a clear cause.
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Skin Lesions
The most evident symptom that your elderly loved one isn’t receiving enough care is the presence of bed sores, ulcers, or pressure sores.
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Malnutrition
Your parent may be malnourished if they have sudden weight loss, dehydration, or bowel impaction (typically caused by dehydration or inadequate fiber).
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Inadequate Sanitation
Signs of abuse include soiled clothing, dirty linens, or proof that your elderly loved one is being forced to sleep in their own excrement.
Some more telltale indications of elder abuse are:
- Changes in mood and behavior, such as depression and isolation, can occur suddenly.
- When a certain member of staff is around, your elderly loved one becomes withdrawn.
- Your elderly loved one is denying the seriousness of their injury or resisting medical attention.
- Caretakers’ apprehension about you spending time alone with your senior relative.
- There are conflicting or otherwise strange explanations being offered by the caregivers for the injuries.
Conclusion
It is clear that nursing home abuse is a serious issue that must not be taken lightly. Nursing home staff and administrators must be held to the highest standards of care and be trained in the appropriate methods of dealing with cases of abuse. It is also important for family members and other caretakers to be vigilant and report any abuse they may witness.
By taking this proactive approach, we can help ensure that all dementia residents in nursing homes are safe and free from abuse.
If you are looking for reliable nursing home and assisted living lawyer in Tampa, FL, look no further than our expertise here at Mendes, Reins & Wilander. We are a personal injury law firm, and our practice areas are Major and Catastrophic Injury, nursing home and assisted living neglect and abuse, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and vehicle accidents like those that involve a car, a motorcycle, and other commercial vehicles. Call us today and let us discuss your concerns and complaints regarding an assisted living institution.