Ryan Zavodnick | October 9, 2024 | Nursing Home Abuse
Neglect and abuse are not things you want to contemplate happening to your grandparents. Sadly, they are all too common in nursing homes across the country. The good news is visiting regularly, watching for signs of mistreatment, and speaking up can help you keep elderly family members safe.
About 60% of nursing home residents never receive visitors, and they are most at risk for abuse and neglect. They may be targeted by abusive staff who know they have no one to advocate for them. They are also at increased risk of neglect because staff will spend more time tending to residents who have family members who speak up.
While visiting your grandparents, watch for these signs of nursing home abuse or neglect. Do not be afraid to take action if you suspect mistreatment.
Signs Of Physical Abuse
Physical abuse can take many forms. It’s believed to be the most common type of elder abuse, affecting many nursing home residents. Signs of physical abuse may include:
- Unexplained injuries, especially bruises around the wrists, arms, legs, and face
- Bruises and injuries that reoccur in the same area
- Marks from restraints
- Fractures or dislocations
- Drowsiness, drooling, and signs of overmedication
Physical abuse usually takes the form of hitting, pushing, kicking, improper use of restraints, or rough handling.
Nursing home residents may also be subjected to sexual abuse. While you are less likely to notice signs in a grandparent, be suspicious of complaints or signs of pain around the genitals or pelvis.
Signs Of Psychological Or Emotional Abuse
An older adult subjected to emotional abuse may seem withdrawn, agitated, anxious, or depressed. They may even seem confused or disoriented without explanation. You may notice they seem afraid to speak openly with changes in their behavior when a staff member is present.
Signs Of Neglect In A Nursing Home
Unlike intentional abuse, neglect happens when a resident’s needs are not met. There are many possible signs that your grandparent is being neglected:
- Soiled clothing or bedding
- Poor personal hygiene
- Unsanitary room or dangerous trip hazards
- Unexplained weight loss, which may indicate malnutrition
- Signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, lightheadedness, loose skin, and disorientation
- Bedsores, a preventable but serious condition
- Missing dentures, glasses, hearing aids, or supportive devices
- Elopement, which means your grandparent has been allowed to leave the secure facility unsupervised, usually due to understaffing and inadequate supervision
- Injuries from a fall, a sign of poor supervision, or a lack of fall prevention measures
You may also see signs of understaffing and neglect when paying attention to the facility. Does the facility appear clean? Do you see potential hazards that are not being addressed? Does it appear there are enough staff members to respond to residents’ needs?
Warning Signs Of Abuse In Seniors With Dementia
Nursing home residents with dementia are at the highest risk of abuse and neglect. About half of older people with dementia experience neglect or abuse at some point. If a grandparent has dementia, they may be unable to communicate that they are being mistreated. Sadly, abuse can be hard to recognize in someone with dementia.
Pay attention to your grandparents’ interactions with staff. They may seem uncomfortable or fearful around particular staff members. You may notice staff hovering nearby during your visit or not seeming to want to leave you alone with your grandparents.
What To Do If You Suspect Abuse
If you believe your grandparents are in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, you can start by contacting your local long-term care ombudsman. The Pennsylvania Ombudsman Program advocates for long-term care residents and helps investigate and resolve problems. You can call the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-490-8505 or call (717) 783-8975 to be connected with your local ombudsman.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health licenses nursing homes and investigates complaints and reports of abuse or neglect. You can call the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-254-5164 or use the online complaint form.
After reporting abuse to the authorities, you can reach out to a Philadelphia nursing home abuse attorney to discuss the situation and get legal advice. An attorney can help you determine the best steps to take to protect your loved one and pursue compensation from the negligent facility. Pursuing a claim on behalf of an abused loved one can ensure they receive proper medical care and can be set up in a new facility.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case
Contact Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your loved ones’ care and how you can protect them from further harm.
To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.
