Steps to Take When You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

No one wants their loved one to be a victim of abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a persistent and prevalent issue. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) reveals that one in 10 nursing home residents in the US experience some form of abuse.

Since nursing home abuse can range from verbal and psychological to physical, family members and friends must be vigilant about their loved one’s situation.

They should know the signs of abuse of older people in nursing homes, and they must act promptly, i.e., take action as quickly as possible to protect their elderly loved ones and other residents.

Watch Out for Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Older adults, especially those with limited mobility, are vulnerable to abuse because they cannot fight back against aggressors. The danger is even greater for those living alone or relying on the assistance of the very people who are hurting them physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

Most victims of elder abuse stay silent for fear of retribution once their visiting family members go home, and it’s just them and their abusive caretakers in the room. However, signs of abuse will inevitably appear, and family and friends must learn to recognize them as early as possible.

Below are the most common red flags that should make you suspect nursing home abuse of an elder:

• Frequent and varied injuries like cuts, bruises around the wrists or on the upper arms, broken bones, and sprains
• Sudden weight loss and malnutrition
• Frequent illness and infections
• A sudden dip in the resident’s attitude and demeanor
• Formation of bedsores
• Uncharacteristic decline in personal hygiene
• Uncharacteristic preference for clothing that covers their arms and legs, even in warm weather
• Displays of anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal
• Fear or agitation around some nursing home staff
• Unpaid bills and lost personal effects

If you observe one or more of these with your elderly family member, relative, or friend, take action immediately to ensure their safety.

What to Do in Light of Abuse of Elderly in Nursing Homes

Here are the most important things to do if you suspect that a loved one is suffering abuse in their nursing home.

1. Talk to Your Loved One

   Whether the abuse is recent, happened long ago, or has been happening for quite some time already, the first thing you need to do is talk to the victim. They will likely feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, and fearful for their safety and yours. Find out as much as possible about their situation and experiences, and show that you will protect and support them moving forward.

2. Get Your Loved One Out of the Nursing Home

   If possible, get your elderly family member or relative out of the facility as quickly as possible. Take them home, or move them to a more trustworthy nursing home. Elderly victims of abuse who are incapacitated or unable to communicate effectively will feel more at ease and safe if you remove them from the hostile environment as soon as possible.

3. Talk To a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

   If there is evidence of elder abuse, you should consult a nursing home abuse attorney immediately. Personal injury attorneys specializing in nursing home abuse cases are the best to consult.

   This attorney should be well-versed in state and federal laws on elder abuse so that they can advise you how to proceed if you want to hold the abusive staff and the facility accountable for the suffering that your loved one endured.

   Filing an elder abuse lawsuit against individuals and organizations can be a long and complicated process. If this is a path you’re determined to take, ask for guidance from a nursing home abuse lawyer from the beginning.

4. Report the Abuse

   The California Department of Public Health, Licensing and Certification Division, oversees healthcare facilities in California, including, but not limited to, general acute care hospitals, home health agencies, hospices, and skilled nursing facilities.

   If family members or friends believe that their loved one is suffering elder abuse in a facility, they should promptly report the abuse to the applicable district office of the California Department of Public Health.

   Depending upon the gravity and circumstances of the suspected abuse, it may also be necessary to report the abuse to Adult Protective Services, the state Ombudsman’s office, or local law enforcement agencies.

5. Gather Evidence and Document Everything

   From the moment you suspect nursing home abuse, be on the lookout for evidence that you can use to back up your lawsuit.

   The victim or their loved one should document everything, including conversations, observations, and all other potentially important information.

   Keep all documents provided by the facility or potentially relating to the abuse, including marketing materials, admissions agreements, text messages, emails, and letters.

   If there are security cameras or “nanny cams”, save all potentially important footage. If the victim still has injuries, such as visible bruises, wounds, and bedsores, take pictures and videos.

   Finally, telephone records, hospital records, nursing home records, the resident’s recent financial transactions, and witness testimonies can also be used as evidence in a nursing home abuse case, so keep copies of these documents whenever possible.

Protect Your Loved One from Abuse and Neglect

No one wants their elderly parents or relatives to become subject to any abuse or neglect when they should be living out the rest of their years in comfort and happiness.

Life’s circumstances can make it impossible to care for elderly family members personally in the home, hence the need to place them in nursing care facilities and senior communities.

However, loved ones can still act quickly to prevent elderly victims from experiencing continued physical or psychological harm.

Contact Holm Law as soon as possible if you suspect that a loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse or neglect. Our nursing home abuse attorneys know California’s laws on elderly abuse, and can help build a strong case protecting your loved one’s interests and right to demand compensation.

Victims of nursing home abuse can seek economic or monetary damages, non-economic damages for emotional pain and suffering, attorneys fees, costs of litigation, and punitive damages.

With the help of our tenacious attorneys, your elderly relative can receive just compensation and justice for the hardships they experienced.

Request a free case evaluation from Holm Law Group today.