When you’re no longer able to look after an aging loved one, it’s only logical to shift them to a nursing home where they’ll be better cared for. A nursing home is a facility designed for older patients who cannot function independently. This noble cause aims to look after the elderly without letting them feel neglected and prioritizing their medical needs. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes share this selfless vision.
Some institutes are known for carrying out vicious, horrible, and violent attacks on their patrons, which can be fatal. About one in three older patients have suffered abuse in a nursing home. This is both tragic and upsetting. Therefore, you must learn what happens behind closed doors of these establishments to help you save your loved ones from further harm. Here is some information for you to use:
What Constitutes As Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse is any form of mistreatment an older person receives at the hand of the staff and on a systematic level. These include getting physically assaulted, emotionally shaken, sexually exploited, and even denied medical treatment. Some of these attacks are so violent that they can result in fractures, severe bleeding, and death in extreme cases. If a loved one passes away in a nursing home with visible signs of abuse, you can look into filing a nursing home wrongful death claim and sue the institute for its heinous acts.
However, to initiate the process, you need to contact a reliable attorney right away and gear yourself up for court. Your loved one deserves to be in good shape and well looked after when you transfer them to a living facility. They should get to live the remainder of their lives in peace, so bringing such establishments down is vital.
The Types Of Abuse
Various types of abuse occur within a nursing home. Knowing about them can help you become vigilant in comprehending that the institute is mistreating and severely hurting your loved one.
- Emotional Abuse. About 20% of residents go through emotional abuse. For example, the staff may yell, mock PTSD in veterans, scream profanity, taunt, and mimic the resident to laugh at them.
- Physical Abuse. An estimate of 30% of residents go through physical abuse. These include pushing the resident till they fall and hurt themselves, roughly maltreating them, and deliberately injuring them with medical apparatus like slamming them on a wheelchair or hitting them with a tool.
- Sexual Assault. Less than 10% of residents experience some sexual assault at the facility. These are extremely unfortunate and a direct violation of a human being’s integrity. These include all forms of unsolicited sexual advances, which can be profoundly traumatizing.
- Financial Abuse. Residents have access to their account details. Whether it’s money you send or pension payments, this cash is for senior members. Some staff may steal this money by providing false receipts, coercing the resident to pay them, or intentionally blocking them from accessing their funds and keeping them for themselves. About 10% of residents face some form of monetary loss.
How Do You Identify Your Loved One Was Harmed?
It is not easy seeing your older relative in pain, let alone wounded. This is even more heartbreaking because these injuries get caused by none other than the establishment you chose to trust. When you visit your elderly loved one and see apparent injuries, be extremely wary of the staff.
- Take Note Of The Older Person’s Appearance. When you’re visiting a relative, please note how they appear in front of you. Their weight, skin, and appearance should all stand out. For example, an abused resident may be in a messy state with noticeable scars, gaping wounds, poorly concealed evidence such as missing hair, have horrible hygiene, and may even look thinner.
- Observe The Way Your Loved One Behaves. Abuse can have lasting psychological effects. Anytime your loved one experiences a traumatizing event, it may show in their mannerism. They may become skittish, show fear when a particular staff member passes by them, and have signs of depression. Your loved one may even complain about how the staff behaves with them.
- Check Financial Statements. You must check all transaction records of your resident’s account, including asking for receipts. When you notice copious amounts of missing money, you have a right to press charges.
Know More: Tips For People Who Work The Evening Shift
How Can You Intervene?
Anytime you witness and observe that your loved one has been assaulted, you need to take immediate actions to prevent the case from escalating. These remedial measures include/
- Moving Your Loved One To Another Facility. Immediately remove your elderly relative from danger by taking them to another facility or arranging for at-home care.
- Call An Emergency Helpline. You should inform the authorities if you see injuries and evidence of the assault. Every country has its emergency services. In the US, dialing 911 will contact you to a respondent who will dispatch the relevant help for you. These can include the police and paramedics apprehending the staff and getting the victim to safety.
- File A Lawsuit. Consider filing a lawsuit when your loved one is safely away from harm. A reputable attorney will guide you on the process and the documents needed on the designated timeline to win the case.
Final Thoughts
The seniors of our society deserve love and care. This includes when they move into a nursing home to spend the rest of their life in serenity. Unfortunately, however, nursing home abuse is an unfortunate global reality. These vulnerable residents get subjected to inhumane treatment and assault that leaves lasting marks on them. If you encounter an abusive case, don’t hesitate to take action. The law stands with you, and making sure your loved one is secure, safe, and treated should be your priority. Never give abusers a leeway to escape and do your best to shut down these horrible homes.
