As our nation’s population ages, more and more people are faced with the decision of how to care for their elderly parents. While some families opt to care their loved ones in their own home, for many people, meeting the needs of an elderly parent can be too much. Making the decision to put a parent into a nursing home can be one of the hardest decisions a person has to make. Often times the biggest concern a person has is whether the facility will treat their loved one properly.
It is estimated that there are over 1 million reports of elder neglect and/or abuse in nursing homes each year. If you are considering putting or already have a friend or relative in a nursing home, you probably have questions about his or her safety. The following are just a handful of the most frequently asked questions people have regarding nursing home abuse:
Question #1: What is nursing home neglect?
When a person becomes a resident of a nursing home, there are certain standards of care that must be met. If the staff at the facility are negligent or indifferent to the needs of the resident, then this is considered neglect. While neglect can be intentional, most often it is unintentional and due to a lack of staffing on the part of the facility.
Question #2: How is nursing home neglect different from nursing home abuse?
Nursing home abuse is most often an intentional act by a staff member to the resident. A resident can also be abused by another resident, due to lack of adequate oversight by the staff. The most common forms of abuse include:
- Physical abuse: Results in a physical (or bodily) injury or unwanted contact to the resident. Examples include a staff member hitting a resident or failing to turn the resident regularly, resulting in bedsores.
- False imprisonment: Occurs when a staff member purposely isolates a resident in his or her room or other area of the facility. This often done by taking away the resident’s walker or wheel chair or threatening him or her with another form of abuse.
- Financial abuse: A staff member can steal a resident’s money or property or coerce the resident into giving the staff member these items.
- Mental abuse: A resident who is mentally abused may be threatened with neglect, abuse and/or verbally assaulted.
- Sexual abuse: Occurs when a staff member has sexual contact or harasses a resident sexually. Unwanted sexual contact with another resident would also qualify as abuse.
Question #3: Are there any signs that can warn me that my loved one is being abused or neglected?
That are many signs that can indicate abuse or neglect, including:
- bedsores;
- bruising or wounds;
- broken bones and/or unexplained injuries;
- generalized fear/anxiety or change in personality;
- malnutrition, dehydration or dramatic weight loss;
- signs of overmedication/sedation;
- depression or anger; and
- contraction of a sexually transmitted disease.
Question #4: What should I do if I suspect abuse or neglect?
If you suspect abuse it is important to act quickly. You may want to consider informing the authorities, filing a complaint with your local social services agency, and/or moving your family member to another facility. Of course, you may also want to consider talking with an attorney to get an understanding of your legal options as well.
If you suspect that your loved one is not receiving proper care or is being abused at a nursing home, you need to seek out help as soon as possible. The dedicated Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped clients in situations of abuse and/or neglect fight back. To talk to one of our compassionate Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney, please contact us today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. You can trust the law firm of Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P to work hard for you.
