Nearly two million Americans live in long term nursing homes. When your loved one is placed in one of these senior care facilities, you should be able to rest easy and trust that they’re taken care of properly.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
According to federal nursing home regulations:
“The resident has the right to be free from verbal, sexual, physical, and mental abuse, corporal punishment, and involuntary seclusion.”
Below are six common types of nursing home abuse that you should be familiar with in order to recognize possible dangers your loved one may be experiencing:
- Physical assault and battery
- Lack of care in providing for existing medical problems
- Depriving the resident of food and water (negligence)
- Rape and other forms of sexual assault
- Unreasonable and unnecessary seclusion or restraint
- Using a physical, chemical or psychotropic medication for any purpose not consistent with that authorized by a doctor
When visiting your relative at the facility, be aware of the following signs that they may be experiencing one of these above forms of abuse:
- Resident seems sad, scared to speak in front of staff, or is unexplainably emotional.
- Bed sores, infections, or unexplained injuries.
- Dehydration, malnutrition, or rapid weight loss.
- Unsanitary and unclean conditions.
- Unusual changes in their behavior such as not wanting to be touched, biting or rocking.
- Resident wanting to be isolated.
- Unexplained or sudden death of your loved one.
Before selecting a facility for your loved one, do your research. Compare various nursing homes, spend time at the facility, and go with your gut feeling. Talk to an attorney to discuss your legal options.