Tips from Milwaukee Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys
Signs to look out for with nursing home abuse
On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Nursing Home Abuse on Friday, August 19, 2011.
When people make the tough decision to move loved ones into a nursing home, they have every right to hope for the best care possible. Much of the time, the care is fine. But nursing home abuse does happen, unfortunately, and it’s important to watch for the signs.
According to the Nursing Home Abuse Center’s website, sometimes nursing home workers are not trained well. On top of that, they can be underpaid and overworked, which is a bad combination. Sometimes, abuse cases can happen at facilities that appear quite clean and legitimate.
Abuse can be physical, but it can also be verbal. It can lead nursing home residents to feel isolated and ashamed, and they are not always likely to want to talk about it. Here are a few signs to watch out for.
Physical signs may include bruising, cuts, torn clothing or bedding, weight loss or gain, burns, open wounds, abrasions and loss of hair. More subtle red flags may be withdrawal, unresponsiveness, unusual financial transactions, unusual behavior and the disappearance of personal items.
Another possible problem is if a family member arrives during normal visiting hours and the staff does not allow or delays access to the resident.
The best thing to do if any of these signs are noted is to talk to management and express concerns. If that doesn’t help, it may be time to consult with a qualified attorney.
It’s important to remember that the elderly are of a generation that is not quick to complain. People who survived the Great Depression and World War II maybe too proud to discuss an abuse problem. If abuse is going on, it may be up to the family to figure it out.
Source: Nursing Home Abuse Center, “Signs of nursing home abuse,” Aug. 18, 2011
Do you need legal assistance from a Milwaukee personal injury attorney for a case of nursing home abuse? Contact Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. today for a free initial consultation.