Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers

One of the most difficult decisions you will ever have to make is placing a loved one into a nursing home. You may want to take care of them, but it may simply not be possible due to their condition and the other commitments you have, such as your job. You should feel safe when you put your elderly family members into a home, and you should be able to rest easy knowing that they are in good hands. However, the sad truth is that many nursing homes are abusive in some capacity, and that means your loved one could be suffering.

In fact, estimates are that more than two million seniors who are in these homes are suffering some type of abuse regularly. Consider that many times the elderly patients are unable to, or too scared to, report the abuse. This means that the problem could be even more widespread. It’s important for you to pay attention to any potential issues that could be occurring at the nursing home where you’ve placed your loved one, and to get in touch with an attorney if you suspect a problem.

Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Many different things can constitute abuse. The abuse can be physical, mental and emotional, sexual, financial exploitation, or it could be neglect. Some of the common signs of physical abuse include broken bones, torn clothing, bloody clothing, cuts and bruises that can’t be explained.

Emotional abuse is unfortunately common as well. In these instances the workers at the facility may yell at or threaten the patients, or they may find ways to humiliate them. They may ignore the patient and not speak to him or her, or they could isolate the patient. They may also mock and even terrorize the patient. These can take a serious toll on the mental wellbeing of the patient.

Those elderly patients who have been sexually abused could suffer from bleeding in or around their private areas. They could also contract a venereal disease, and they may have bruises in the region of the genitals. You may also find that they have bloody underwear. They may also withdraw mentally and emotionally.

Financial exploitation is unfortunately common as well, and it can happen right within a nursing home. The workers may steal checks, belongings, and cash, and they could forge signatures. They may take credit cards, ask for loans from the patient, and even steal the patient’s identity.

Neglect is a huge problem in nursing homes. Sometimes it occurs because the workers are not doing their jobs properly. Other times, there is simply not enough staff members to provide the proper attention for everyone who needs it. This is no excuse though. Some of the signs that your loved one may be neglected include dirty clothing, loss of weight, dehydration, improper administration of medications, and bedsores. These can all cause greater health problems for the patient, and in many cases, they can even lead to the death of the patient.

Watch for the Signs and Get Help

You certainly do not want your loved one to go through this kind of pain and suffering, and you don’t want them to suffer any type of abuse. However, the cold reality is that these things can and do happen. If you suspect abuse, you need to contact the authorities, take your loved one out of the home, and get in touch with nursing home abuse attorneys in Houston who can help you. They will be able to look at your case so your loved one can receive compensation and damages for the abuse he or she suffered.

Resource: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/nursing-home-abuse