Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

If your loved one resides in a nursing home, then you want to make sure that they are getting the highest level of care possible. Unfortunately, nursing home residents are often extremely vulnerable to abuse, and many of their loved ones do not recognize the signs until it is too late. However, once you are aware of the warning signs, you can help to protect your loved ones and make sure they live their golden years in peace and comfort. Keep reading to learn the tell-tale signs of nursing home abuse, and find out how to find a compassionate nursing home abuse attorney to fight for your loved one.

Watch for Unexplained Physical Injuries

Sometimes, the signs of nursing home abuse can be easy to see if you are paying attention. The best way to make sure that your loved is not suffering overt abuse is to look out for frequent, unexplainable physical injuries, as well as signs of neglect. These signs can include mysterious bumps and bruises, broken bones and even chronic dehydration. It is also important to make sure your loved one’s hygiene is maintained at a high level, as a decrease in regular hygiene can often indicate potential neglect. Paying attention to these warnings signs makes it more likely for you to catch a negative situation before it gets too far out of hand.

Be Aware of Sudden Changes in Mental Faculty

Many residents of nursing homes are there because they are no longer able to physically take care of themselves. However, their mental functioning is often still intact. Even though it is usual for people to lose some mental functioning as they age, a drastic change in your loved one’s cognitive ability could be an indicator of abuse. When someone is mistreated for an extended period, it can eventually have a massive effect on their mental abilities, particularly if they are older. If you notice your loved one is having problems with memories and normal thinking seemingly out of nowhere, it could be a sign that they could have suffered abuse.

Don’t Ignore Changes in Personality or Overmedication

After many years spent with your loved one, it is likely that you know their personality inside and out. Once your loved one is living in a care facility, an obvious change in their personality might be a marker of abuse. This applies in particular if your loved one seems unusually withdrawn, or shows an extreme unwillingness to speak in front of certain caregivers. Personality changes can also be caused from overmedication, which is a form of abuse in itself. Noticing that your loved one’s personality has changed for the worse should be a clear sign that they are potential abuse victims, and that you should take immediate action.

Get Protection from a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

It is a sad fact of life that there are people out there willing to take advantage of the most vulnerable people in society, even those residing in nursing homes. If you suspect that your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, then they deserve compensation, and the abuser needs to be brought to justice. In North Carolina and South Carolina, the best way to find a nursing home abuse attorney who will treat your loved one with respect is to partner with the Tatum Law Firm, PLLC. Our entire team of attorneys has the legal experience and compassion needed to handle your loved one’s case and will fight tirelessly on their behalf. Contact the Tatum Law Firm today to get the representation your loved one needs.