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At a certain point, it may become unsafe for an elderly person to live alone. When a person is placed in a nursing home, it is usually done to ensure his or her safety and well being. While most nursing homes provide exceptional care, abuse and neglect do happen. The elderly residents of nursing homes are especially vulnerable members of our society. Many times, they are too frightened to speak out against the abuse from which they are suffering; other times, they do not have the mental faculties to defend themselves. As a result, it is imperative that friends, family members and other loved ones be aware of the signs of nursing home neglect and other types of elder abuse.
If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect, then call the attorneys at the Law Offices of Samuel Fishman for your free consultation today!
Types and Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Most people are well aware of the types of nursing home abuse that can happen. When a person is punched, kicked or otherwise physically abused, the signs are usually readily apparent. Neglect, however, is a lot more insidious and can be trickier to detect. In fact, an elderly person may not even realize that he or she is being neglected. As a result, they may not voluntarily speak out about the situation.
The most common types of neglect that happen in nursing homes fall into the following categories:
Basic Needs
Incredibly, the residents of nursing homes don’t always receive ample amounts of nutrition; as a result, they can become malnourished and dehydrated. Their living environments aren’t always kept clean, leaving them to live in squalor. Senior citizens who unexplainably lose a lot of weight or who are reluctant to allow visitors into their rooms may be suffering from this type of neglect.
Personal Hygiene
The elderly often need help to stay clean; all too often, however, they don’t receive the assistance that they need. Signs of this type of neglect include the odor of urine or feces, a visibly unclean appearance, soiled clothing and poor dental hygiene.
Emotional Needs
Top-notch nursing homes always make sure to engage their residents to keep them active and healthy. A pervasive type of neglect involves isolation. In this case, no one makes any real effort to interact with an elderly resident. Such individuals may exhibit strong signs of depression; they may withdraw from friends and family, too. Verbal abuse is also an all-too-common occurrence. Senior citizens who seem frightened of staff may be experiencing this type of abuse.
Medical Care
As people age, their medical needs generally increase. Therefore, most nursing home residents usually require medication. It is exceptionally important to keep the residents active, too. Constant supervision is also imperative. Signs of this type of nursing home neglect include frequent, severe falls, bed sores, suffocation in bed and declining health due to inappropriate or infrequent doses of medication.
Nursing home abuse and neglect are unfortunate and all-too-common problems in today’s society. By understanding the types of abuse and neglect that can occur – and by having a clear idea about the signs that they are occurring – it is easier to protect elderly loved ones.
The Lawyers at the Law Offices of Samuel Fishman Stand Ready to Help your Loved One!
Consult our nursing home neglect and elder abuse attorneys immediately if you suspect that your loved one is suffering. Our attorneys will investigate and provide personalized recommendations for the unique facts surrounding your case. A successful lawsuit can result in remedies such as compensation for the pain and suffering that your loved one has endured. Our office will help to maximize your loved one’s ability to obtain full compensation for his or her injuries. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact the Law Offices of Samuel Fishman today!
Additional Locations
Our Elder Abuse Resources
Elder Abuse Statistics
Elder Abuse Laws
Types of Elder Abuse
Signs of Elder Abuse
External Elder Abuse Resources
National Center on Elder Abuse
National Institute of Justice
American Psychological Association