10 Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Your loved ones deserve the best care. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. When you place an elderly family member in an assisted living facility, you expect that their best interests are protected. Unfortunately, physical, sexual, emotional, mental, and financial abuse inside nursing homes is all too common. If you suspect someone you love has been taken advantage of, our New Jersey nursing home abuse lawyers can help.

Signs of nursing home abuse are dependent upon the type of abuse or neglect that has occurred. Some indications your loved one has been abused include:

• Bed sores —if your family member stays in one position too long, bed sores could occur.
• Missing money — if an unscrupulous power of attorney or other person in charge has access to your loved one’s finances, they may misappropriate funds.
• Unexplainable bruises and marks — these are signs your relative is being handled in a rough manner.
• Suspicious changes in legal documents — elderly people of unsound mind are at risk of people close to them changing their wills, trusts, advanced health care directives, and more.
• Hazardous living conditions — if you noticed the nursing home property is not being maintained, is lacking in handicap accessibility, has poor lighting, unclean facilities, and other signs of hazardous living conditions, other abuse may be taking place as well.
• Improper administration of medication — take legal action if you find your loved one is being under-medicated, over-medicated, or given the wrong medication.
• Unexplained weight loss — some elderly persons fall victim to starvation or malnutrition.
• Bruising, scratches, or marks around the breast or genitals — one of the worst forms of abuse is sexual assault.
• Bruising around the wrists or neck — this is an indication of unethical physical restraint.
• Fear or embarrassment — if your family member is afraid to talk about the conditions he or she is subjected to, this may be a sign of abuse. Your loved one may have been threatened to keep quiet.

This is but a small sampling of the various types of abuse your relative might incur. The elderly are prime targets for mistreatment — they are fragile, vulnerable, and sometimes mentally unsound. Don’t let someone you love become a victim. Our personal injury law firm in New Jersey maintains flexible office hours, with weekend appointments available. We can also meet you at your home or hospital room if you are unable to travel to our office.