Why Speaking Up Matters: Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Mistreatment

Millions of elderly loved ones live in fear each year due to abuse and neglect.

Here's the truth:

The majority of nursing home mistreatment goes completely unseen. Knowing the warning signs can help prevent further mistreatment before it gets too late.

If you don't know what you're looking for, you won't be able to protect your loved ones.

In this article, everything you need to know about nursing home mistreatment is outlined including the top signs to look out for and what to do if you suspect something isn't right.

Let's dive in…

What You'll Learn:

• Nursing Home Mistreatment Is Happening More Than You Think

• Common Warning Signs

• Steps To Take If You Suspect Abuse

• How An Attorney Can Help

Nursing Home Mistreatment Is Happening More Than You Think

Did you know that nursing home mistreatment isn't rare at all? It happens more than you think. In fact, it's actually an epidemic.

The World Health Organization states that 2 in 3 nursing home staffers admitted to committing abuse within the past year. Two out of three. That's not a misprint.

What's worse is…

The National Council on Aging estimates that there are up to 5 million cases of elder abuse happening every year. A lot of these incidents are happening in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Why Is Nursing Home Mistreatment Happening?

There are a lot of reasons why abuse happens in nursing homes. One of the biggest reasons? Understaffing. Many nursing homes don't hire enough caregivers or doctors to effectively take care of residents. The employees that are working are stressed, overwhelmed, and burnt out. Abuse happens.

Residents who have been injured from negligence deserve legal representation who will go tough for them. If you or a loved one has been affected by nursing home neglect or abuse in Orlando or elsewhere in Central Florida, don't hesitate to reach out and speak with someone who handles these types of cases daily.

The elderly population is only going to continue growing. By 2050, over 80 million Americans will be over the age of 60. As the population ages, more and more people will require long-term care. If the problem isn't fixed now, abuse statistics will continue to rise.

Common Warning Signs

You might be thinking:

"How do I know if nursing home mistreatment is happening? I can't visit my grandma every day."

Unfortunately, nursing home mistreatment isn't always easy to spot. People who abuse others are great at covering their tracks. But that doesn't mean you can't look for telltale signs that something isn't right.

Let's start with some physical signs.

Some common physical signs of abuse include:

• Bruises, cuts, or fractures that can't be explained

• Pressure injuries, lack of cleanliness, or dehydration

• Significant weight loss

• Inappropriate use of medication

There's more than just physical signs to look out for. It's also important to pay attention if your loved one's behavior suddenly seems off.

Does your loved one suddenly seem scared or withdrawn around certain caregivers? Do they avoid making eye contact with you or suddenly become nonresponsive when a certain staff member is around?

Some behavioral red flags include:

• Depression, anxiety, or sudden mood changes

• Fear of certain staff members or residents

• Lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy

• Sudden change in behavior

Here's the reality…

Many people ignore these red flags by thinking their loved one is "just getting older." While the elderly do become more fragile as they age, sudden changes in behavior can be a telltale sign that something is going on. Trust your gut.

The Different Types of Nursing Home Abuse

As mentioned before, nursing home mistreatment can come in many different forms. Sometimes, it's physical. Other times, it can be more subtle.

Physical abuse is the easiest to spot. Hitting, pushing, misuse of restraints, and force are all forms of physical abuse.

Emotional abuse is less obvious but just as damaging. This type of abuse can come in the form of yelling, threatening to hurt a senior loved one, isolating them from social activities, or humiliating them. Believe it or not, emotional abuse is actually the most common type of elder abuse.

Neglect is when a staffer doesn't meet your loved one's basic needs. Someone who suffers from neglect isn't fed properly, given water, or provided medication on time. They may not have clean clothes or be allowed to bathe. Neglect can cause malnutrition, deadly infections from untreated bedsores, and more.

Financial Exploitation is stealing from a resident. This can be done by staff members, other residents, or even family members.

Steps To Take If You Suspect Abuse

Say you come across something that seems off while visiting your loved one. What do you do?

First and foremost, document everything. Write down the date and time you noticed something was wrong. Take pictures of any injuries or areas of the nursing home that you're concerned about. Jot down any behavioral changes that you may have noticed.

Ask your loved one what's going on. Did something specific happen to your loved one that upset them? Make sure you ask questions that require answers other than "yes" or "no." And be patient. Sometimes it can take a while for your loved one to open up.

Report it. Tell the nursing home administration what you've noticed. Then, follow up with your state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. Each state has a toll-free abuse hotline you can call.

Consider contacting an attorney who specializes in personal injury, especially in cases regarding neglect and abuse. Families have the right to know what is happening to their loved ones and they have the right to seek compensation for their pain and suffering.

Only 1 in 24 seniors actually report that they've been abused. If you suspect that your loved one has been mistreated, report it.

How An Attorney Can Help

Filing a lawsuit against your loved one's nursing home does a couple of things.

First off, it holds these negligent facilities accountable for their actions. If nursing homes start to feel the financial repercussions of mistreating elders, they will make the necessary changes to their staff and protocols. More employees, better training, and stricter supervision are common changes that happen when facilities are sued.

Second, it gives you and your family compensation to cover the damages that your loved one has suffered. Medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering are very real when it comes to nursing home abuse. Filing a lawsuit can help you recoup those losses.

Here's something to think about:

If nursing home facilities know that you're going to maintain active involvement with your loved one's health and well being, they will think twice about stealing from them or providing negligent care.

Wrapping It All Up

At the end of the day, nursing home mistreatment is a widespread problem that many elderly go home to each day. As long as you know what you're looking for, you can prevent further abuse.

Look out for both physical AND behavioral changes in your loved ones. There are many different types of abuse and they can occur in any care facility.

Remember:

1. Document anything that seems suspicious

2. Report your concerns to your state and the care facility in question

3. Contact an experienced attorney to discuss your legal options.

4. Visit your loved ones as often as you can and stay involved in their care.

Nobody is checking up on your loved ones but you. Be sure to stay vigilant and speak up if something doesn't feel right.