Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

senior man in wheel chair

If you have a senior loved one in a nursing home, you may worry about the care they receive. There can also be some confusion over what constitutes abuse and neglect. To clarify, nursing home abuse is intentional or negligent harm experienced by your loved one residing in a nursing home or long-term care facility. If you have questions regarding the care and treatment of a senior you care about, a nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to ease your mind or help you move your relative or friend out of harm’s way and possibly seek compensatory damages against the staff and facility responsible.

Is Your Loved One Neglected?

Knowing the signs to look for is the best way to spot neglect. The most common abuse consists of pressure sores, also called bed sores, which develop in stages. A small reddish mark forms and can become a major wound. The second most common example of neglect involves falls. Nursing homes in Pennsylvania must assess the risk of falls to protect residents. If a facility has failed to look out for a resident, Christopher L. Giddings, PC. can help you protect your loved one and challenge the facility in or out of court.

Other Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse

When you come in for a consultation, it’s helpful to bring along any notes you may have regarding other types of nursing home abuse, such as:

  • Dehydration due to lack of fluids
  • Malnutrition due to lack of food or lack of supervision to ensure the resident is eating enough
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Use of restraints as a control measure
  • Misuse of medication to control the individual
  • Failing to prevent wandering off
  • Mental and emotional abuse
  • Errors in medication management

What Causes Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

Nursing homes are becoming busier and busier as members of the baby boomer generation age. Some facilities are also very focused on finances and may not provide sufficient training or hire as many staff members as they need. Abuse and neglect aren’t necessarily committed on purpose in such circumstances.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Abuse?

If you think a senior you know is being neglected, you should:

  • Make sure the person is safe.
  • Report the abuse to the leader of the facility.
  • Report the abuse to the authorities.

Contact Christopher L. Giddings, PC. to speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer who’s passionate about protecting victims of neglect or abuse in Pennsylvania’s nursing homes.

Next Steps

Determine if a family member is suffering neglect or abuse with the help of Philadelphia’s premier nursing home abuse lawyers at Christopher L. Giddings, PC. Contact us online or call (215) 243-3450 today to schedule a consultation about your loved one’s right to a safe, secure environment and the possibility of pursuing damages for their pain and suffering.