Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

If you have made the decision to move your loved one to a nursing home, you understand how important it is for the nursing home staff to be fully trained and capable of providing high-quality care. Once an elderly individual is submitted to a nursing home, he or she is completely reliant upon another person for food, cleanliness and overall health. Tragically, nursing home abuse has become a common practice, and experts believe that for every case of nursing abuse, about five more go unreported. Recent studies also show that between one and two million elderly Americans older than 65 years of age have been neglected, exploited or mistreated by someone that they depend on for care and protection.

If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, there are signs that you can look for when you go to visit. Some of the most common indicators of physical abuse include not giving enough medication, giving too much medication, open cuts or wounds, bruises, welts, or forcing an elderly person to stay in their room. Your loved one may also be a victim of neglect, and may be dehydrated or suffering from bed sores or malnutrition as a result.

Verbal and emotional abuse can be especially harmful to an elderly person's self-esteem. If you notice that your loved one is becoming increasingly withdrawn or non-communicative, or is displaying unusual behavior, contact a Los Angeles nursing home abuse attorney immediately. By taking legal action, you will improve the quality of life for your loved one and countless others as well. A Los Angeles personal injury attorney can help you file a claim against negligent nursing home staff, so call today.