One of the main reasons why care givers, nurses, and other staff members (the same people whose duty it is to care for the residents) abuse elderly nursing home residents is because these residents are usually old, weak, frail, sick, and sometimes have mental conditions such as amnesia and dementia which makes them easy targets. They are indeed most vulnerable to abuse.
For example, if a nurse were to physically assault a nursing home resident and then steal his/her valuable possessions, then it is understandable how the complaints and the pleas of the resident may fall on deaf ears due to the fact that he/she is suffering from dementia. This same person may say that aliens speak to them, that they speak with their long dead spouse, that they constantly know who is going to with the World Series and they are always wrong and so on, for example.
Possible manifestations of nursing home abuse that you should keep an eye out for
As relatives, we need to educate ourselves about the reality and possibility of nursing home abuse happening to our loved ones and we need to ensure that we remain vigilant for any symptoms of nursing home abuse. Some of the signs that your relative is being or has been subjected to nursing home abuse include:
- Injuries such as open wounds
- Pressure sores or bedsores
- Frequent slip and fall accidents
- Sudden weight loss/gain
- Odor of urine or feces
- Torn apparel
- Personal possessions missing
- Other residents accusing the nursing home of nursing home abuse or ill treatment in general
- Sudden change in attitude and becoming very reserved and anti-social
- Unusual and new behavior, such as sucking, biting or rocking
- Restraint marks near the limbs of the patient
- Poor hygiene, including lack of dental care
- Dehydration
- Disorientation or depression
You need an Indiana nursing home abuse lawyer to help you get your relative justice before it is too late. You can find this type of attorney on USAttorneys.com by using our interactive map and typing in your location. You will see a list of legal pros for you to call. Do this today!
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