How to Know If You Should Contact an Attorney Regarding Possible Nursing Home Abuse
If you have a loved one in a nursing home, make sure you're extra diligent when it comes to overseeing the level of care that they receive. Abuse and neglect of the elderly is something that can happen in any nursing home, as it all depends on the nurses or aids that work there. So, you do not want to assume that just because you are paying a lot of money for a top-notch nursing home that such terrible things cannot happen.
Keeping an eye out for the following signs that it might be time to remove your loved one from a particular nursing home and call an attorney:
1. There Are Unexplained Bruises Starting to Appear
It is important to remember that some bruising can be normal, especially as your loved one gets older. They might find that they bruise a lot easier than they did in years past. However, if you are noticing a sudden increase in the number of bruises and you cannot get a solid explanation for them, either from your loved one or the staff, you will want to speak with an attorney. If that particular nursing home is abusing their residents, then a nursing home neglect attorney needs to know about it.
2. Your Loved One Is Afraid to Talk Around Staff
Whether it is all of the staff or only a few particular ones, if your elderly loved one shuts down or tends to soften their voice when staff is present, you should start wondering why that is. It's not normal for nursing home patrons to be visibly afraid around the staff. There might be abuse taking place, whether it is physical or mental, and you should address it.
Try asking your loved one some questions. It might be that they are simply shy and want their conversations to be private. If it seems as though that is not the case and that there is a level of fear present, you will want to talk to an attorney about elder abuse laws and whether there is something that can be done to protect your aging loved one, as well as others within the nursing home.
If you are unsure whether there is actually a problem or not, you should still consult with a nursing home abuse attorney. Explain what you are noticing and what your concerns are. Their experience with elder abuse laws can help guide you in the right direction.