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Identifying potential abuse requires careful monitoring. Not only can there be abuse in nursing homes it’s important to monitor assisted living communities and all other senior living communities.It is important to look for the signs of nursing home abuse in your frequent visits to the nursing home or assisted living community.
Some of the more commonly observed signs of nursing home abuse:
- Physical abuse
- Some of the more commonly observed signs include:
- Assault (may be sexual)
- Battery (may be sexual)
- Rape
- Physical restraints without reason
- Prolonged deprivation of food or water
- Use of a psychotropic medication for any purpose that was not authorized
- Giving too much medication
- Not giving needed medication
- Unexplained injuries
- Open wounds, cuts, bruises or welts
- Elder reports of being mistreated
- Forcing an older person to stay in a room
- Verbal and Emotional Abuse:
- Unusual behavior
- Emotionally upset or agitated
- Withdrawn and non-communicative
- Change in behavior towards family and friends
- Wanting to be isolated
- Neglect
- Medical neglect: lack of care for taking care of current medical needs
- Physical neglect: not taking care of daily needs
- Failure to assist in personal hygiene: grooming, bathing
- Unsanitary conditions
- Infections
- Failure to protect from health and safety hazards
- Failure to prevent dehydration, malnutrition, and bed sores
Other signs to look for if you think nursing home abuse has occurred include the following:
- Injuries requiring emergency treatment or hospitalization
- Any incident involving broken bones
- Any injury or death occurring during or shortly after an episode of wandering
- Rapid weight loss or weight gain without physician or family notification
- Unexplained or unexpected death of the resident
- Residents abusing one another
- What can you do if you suspect there is nursing home abuse going on in a facility you know?
Make sure to visit the nursing home frequently. Try visiting at different times of the day.
Talk to the Director and Social Worker about your concerns. Also talk to the nurses that are taking care of your loved one to see how well they know their care needs. You may also call the doctor and the local ombudsman. You can file a complaint with state Licensing and Certification if you believe there is nursing home abuse. They are required to investigate your complaint. Make sure to document everything!
Call your state survey agency. In each state there is a division of the Department of Health which deals with oversight of nursing homes and enforcement of nursing home regulations. This agency conducts yearly surveys of each nursing home and also investigates complaints filed by family members. Find out who the state licensing agency is from your nursing home. They are required to provide this information to you when your place a resident in the nursing home.If you need to take it further contact a nursing home abuse lawyer right away.
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