One of the major problems in the United States is nursing home abuse and it affects thousands of elderly residents and patients each year. There are estimates that show as many as one in three homes is guilty of a form of maltreatment, abuse or neglect. The Ehline Law firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of the elderly nursing home resident that is a victim suffering elder abuse in all areas.
There are some dynamics that can lead to elder abuse or negligence in the nursing home setting. These can include improper background checks of the nursing staff, under staffing or inexperienced nursing home employees. The family should investigate the nursing home before placing an elderly loved one in their care. It is also important to be alert to any signs of elder abuse when visiting. If there are signs of elder abuse it is vital to take immediate action and to hold the nursing home and nursing staff or employees responsible for their actions.
Nursing Home Abuse
There are some forms of nursing home abuse the elderly loved one can face:
- Physical Abuse: Physical abuse can include the rough or aggressive handling, or improper retraint of the elderly resident, slapping or hitting.
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Lack of proper hygiene
- Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse can include maltreatment, confinement and embarrassment of the elderly nursing home resident.
- Improper physical restraints
- Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse that can occur include assault, battery, molestation and rape.
- Financial abuse
Elderly abuse in the nursing home can be indicated by depression, unexplained bruises, weight loss, mood swings, lack of proper hygiene, reoccurring illness and sexually transmitted diseases.
Legal Elderly Abuse Representation
When the family of an elderly loved one believe they are the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect it is imperative to take action and this includes consulting with an elder abuse attorney to protect their rights. This is an attorney that will be an aggressive advocate for the elderly nursing home resident in removing them from danger. The abuse attorneys can be reached at 888-400-9721.