There’s nothing that makes an adult child angrier than to find out one or both of their parents have been the victim of nursing home abuse. It’s a frustrating, maddening situation, one that needs to be stopped immediately. Also, any nursing home staff, as well as the nursing home, must be made to face the consequences.
Sand Law attorneys have nothing but disdain for those who prey on vulnerable older people who can’t defend themselves. If you have any reason to believe your parent is being abused, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us as soon as possible. We will perform a thorough investigation and take the appropriate legal action against all responsible parties.
You can contact us online to schedule a free consultation, or you can give us a call at 701-609-1510.
There are four main types of nursing home abuse – physical, sexual, emotional and financial. Here’s a quick look at each.
Nursing home abuse injuries can obviously be devastating, making a resident’s life miserable. They’re in the home in the first place because they already have some sort of debilitating illness or condition. When physical abuse takes place, that makes their life even worse. Here are just a few of the kinds of injuries that occur in nursing homes on a regular basis.
Every nursing home owes what is known as a “duty of care” to its residents. This basically means that they have to provide a wide range of services, including medical care, food and shelter, and assistance with hygiene when necessary. Nursing homes can be held liable for abuse in many instances, including the following:
There are also instances where a third party could be held responsible for harm to a resident. A piece of medical equipment, for instance, could malfunction and lead to a severe injury. Equipment designed to automatically dispense medication could fail, causing a resident to receive an improper dosage of a critically important medicine.
A vendor who supplies meals could be found responsible if a resident suffers food poisoning. If a trespasser breaks into the home and harms a resident, and a third party company is responsible for providing security, that company could also face liability.
Nursing homes have a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their residents. Regular staff training on elder care, abuse prevention, and recognizing signs of abuse is crucial. Implementing strict hiring practices, including thorough background checks, can help ensure that only trustworthy individuals are employed.
Regularly monitoring and reviewing surveillance footage, if available, can deter potential abusers. By being proactive and fostering a culture of respect and care, nursing homes can significantly reduce the risk of abuse.
If you have any reason to believe an elderly loved one is suffering from abuse, be extremely observant and watch for the following signs:
It can be extremely difficult for a nursing home resident to speak up about abuse. They may be embarrassed to admit it’s happening, or they may be afraid to say anything, out of fear the abuse will get even worse. If possible, take your loved one to an area outside the facility and ask them directly if anything is happening.
Find out, for instance, if the resident is being bathed and fed regularly, or is allowed to join other residents in any activities that are being held. Ask if any staff members have been abusive in any manner. Ask if they want to say anything to you that they can’t bring up to anyone who works in the facility.
If their answers confirm your suspicions, try to see if you can move your loved one to another nursing home, and then call the police. After that, get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible so the facility can be held accountable.
While physical injuries from nursing home abuse can be severe, the psychological scars can last even longer. Victims might experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a loss of trust in caregivers and institutions.
These psychological effects can further deteriorate their overall health and well-being. Recognizing the profound impact of abuse on a resident’s mental health underscores the importance of prevention, early detection, and seeking justice for the victims.
