Client: Trantolo Law Firm
Copyright 2008 Trantolo Law Firm
Neglect and Abuse In Nursing Homes
One of the most difficult and painful events any elderly person and the family who loves them can go through is determining that the time has come to place the elderly individual in a nursing home. What is even more heartbreaking is to discover that the nursing home that has been entrusted with the care of your loved one is suspected of neglect or abuse of its residents.
When the time comes to find a quality care facility for your elderly loved one, be sure you have done your research and thoroughly checked out any potential nursing homes out thoroughly before signing anything binding. There are signs to look for that may clue you in to potential dangers when dealing with certain residential facilities.
Signs of Physical Abuse
Signs that there may be the potential or the current existence of physical abuse include:
� Assault and battery
� Sexual assault and battery
� Rape
� Continual or prolonged instances of food and water deprivation
� Physical or chemical restraint including psychotropic medications that have not been specifically authorized by the patient's primary physician
� Overmedicating or undermedicating
� Unexplained injuries
� Open wounds, bruises or cuts
� Slapping, pushing, shaking or beating
� Reports from the elderly individual of abuse
Signs of Neglect
Neglect of nursing home residents is all too common in the United States today as well. Some signs to watch for include:
� Medical neglect such as lack of care for existing medical conditions
� Physical neglect such as disregard for day to day needs
� Dehydration, malnutrition and bed sores
� Lack of assistance with personal hygiene
� Lack of necessary daily provisions such as food, water, clothing and shelter
� Unsanitary conditions
For more information about what to look for if you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse, please contact the law offices of Trantolo and Trantolo.