Thirty-five percent of individuals age 65 and older will eventually enter a nursing home. About 33 percent of nursing homes, meanwhile, have been cited for abuse.
The thought of a loved one suffering abuse or neglect is horrifying. When one entrusts a parent or loved one to a nursing facility, one has a reasonable expectation that they will be properly cared for. Yet it has become clear that, all too often, trust is breached and violations take place.
If you worry about someone close to you being abused, contact an experienced attorney from the Kyle Law Firm. We know how to hold the responsible institutions to account.
TYPES OF NURSING HOME ABUSE
Abuse in nursing homes and nursing home neglect often goes unreported because victims feel that they should deal with the abuse by themselves. They might fear retribution from staff or they have a mental or physical health problem preventing them from telling anyone what is happening to them. Nursing home abuse is physical, sexual, financial or mental.
Some signs of nursing home abuse to look out for include:
- Bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers)
- Broken bones, bruises, wounds or other injuries
- Unexplained hair or weight loss
- Bruises around genital areas
- Vaginal or anal bleeding
- Torn and soiled clothing or bedding
- Not being allowed immediate access to the person you are visiting when you arrive at the nursing home
- Changes in behavior
- Withdrawal
- Unusual financial activity
Nursing home neglect refers to staff withholding food, water or medication from residents, or not maintaining personal and environmental hygiene standards. A victim of neglect is often malnourished, dehydrated or suffering from an untreated illness.
Likewise, it is also the case that errors in medication and related incidents take place because of inadequately trained staff. Substandard staffing is every bit as dangerous as more active forms of abuse.
WHAT OUR TEAM CAN DO TO HELP
If you suspect your loved one is the victim of abuse or neglect, report it to management. If you feel that the situation will get worse if you do this, or they ignored earlier complaints, contact a personal injury lawyer from the Kyle Law Firm.
We can give you advice on the best way to protect those you love. In 2007, statistics showed that nursing homes housed 1.4 million Americans. The exact number of cases of nursing home abuse is unknown because this type of abuse is grossly underreported. Your loved ones deserve dignity and respect. If you suspect abuse or neglect, contact the Kyle Law Firm for experienced, professional help.
You can reach our team by calling 830-620-9402. You can also contact us online.