According to research, at least one in every ten seniors in nursing homes is the victim of abuse. Also, at least two million elderly residents live in eldercare facilities. So, if you have elderly loved ones in a nursing home or you are planning to entrust your elderly loved ones in the care of a nursing home or elder care facility, there are several things you must know about abuse, how to detect abuse, and what to do about it.
Read on to learn more.
What Exactly Does Nursing Home Abuse Refer to?
When you entrust your elderly loved one to the care of a nursing home, you believe that the professional staff will fulfill their promise of providing adequate care to your loved one. However, if you see or sense a case of abuse, you will certainly experience an overwhelming sense of betrayal.
When it comes to nursing home abuse it can be defined as an intentional infliction of abuse, which can exist in the following forms:
- Intentional injury
- Injury caused by negligence
- Punishment in any form
- Unreasonable confinement that leads to stress and pain
- Intimidation
So, there are several types of nursing home abuse, including emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, any kind of abandonment, and financial abuse.
Who is more at Risk of Becoming an Abuse Victim in Nursing Homes?
Some elderly residents in nursing homes are at a higher risk of abuse.
Mental Impairment
Some residents or elderly living in nursing homes are more at risk for becoming abuse victims, such as elderly with dementia, mental impairment, Alzheimer’s, etc. According to reports, elderly residents with dementia are at a higher risk of experiencing abuse and neglect as compared to the residents who don’t have a mental impairment.
Women
According to statistics, women are at a higher risk of being abused in nursing homes as compared to their male counterparts. As a matter of fact, more than 60% of nursing home abuse victims are women.
PTSD
Elderly residents with PTSD or any sort of past traumatic experience are essentially vulnerable, which also puts them at a higher risk of becoming abuse victims.
Finances
Research has also proven that the resident’s finances play a crucial role in how they are treated at the care facilities. You might be surprised to know that elderly residents with lower financial and social status find themselves at a higher risk of abuse and also reside in care facilities that offer low-quality care.
Understanding the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Before we assess the signs of nursing home abuse, it is important to stress the importance of keeping in touch with your elderly loved ones and arranging frequent visits, especially if the elderly loved ones have grandkids.
By keeping in touch, you will be able to see them in person and assess their wellbeing. When it comes to abuse signs, watch out for sudden shifts in personalities and mood swings. If your loved one refuses to take their medication or overdoses on their medication, you must treat it as a sign of abuse, too.
How to Hold Nursing Home Abusers Accountable?
One of the best ways to hold nursing home abusers accountable for their misdeeds is to seek advice from lawyers. If you are in Las Vegas, you might want to get in touch with the Las Vegas Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse lawyer, who is experienced with the complexities of nursing home abuse law and has handled such cases before. With an experienced lawyer by your side, you will have a professional who will maneuver the legal process with expertise and compassion while making it as stress-free as possible.
If your elderly loved one has experienced abuse and they have suffered from neglect, a lawsuit can help them get the much-needed justice they rightfully deserve. More importantly, if the caregiver refuses to leave you alone with your loved one, you should treat it as a sign of abuse, too.
How Can the Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Help?
When taking legal action against the staff of the nursing home facility, you must work closely with an attorney – not just any attorney but a nursing home abuse attorney. The underlying reason is that professional attorneys specialize in elder abuse cases, and therefore, they are well-prepared for all sorts of elderly abuse cases compared to general lawyers.
The nursing home abuse lawyer can help you in the following ways:
They Can Provide You Free Consultation
Of course, first things first – you must get a consultation first so that you can assess whether or not you have a valid case of nursing home abuse. You should know that a good lawyer will charge you nothing for the initial consultation, during which they will review your case for free.
They Will Investigate the Case for You
After reviewing your case, the nursing home abuse lawyer, together with their team, will very carefully investigate the nitty-gritty details of your case with the intention of establishing negligence.
They Will Collect Evidence and Witnesses
To prove abuse and negligence in court, your lawyer will collect evidence as well as witness statements, if any. The supporting evidence will include expert opinions, medical bills, medical records, etc.
They Will File Your Lawsuit For You
After the collection of evidence, the lawyer will file a lawsuit for you and take over each step of the lawsuit. The lawyer will ensure that all documents are taken care of and filed correctly. The lawyer will also ensure that the court deadlines are met.
They Will Help You Secure A High Settlement
The lawyer will protect your rights and the rights of your elderly loved one. Subsequently, they will make sure to secure the best settlement value for your case without you having to go to court.
They Will Represent You In Court
Last but not least, the lawyer will represent you in court. This aspect happens when the lawyer and the defendant’s party fail to reach an agreement regarding the settlement. By representing you in court, the lawyer will fight for your loved one and take the case to trial.
