The right nursing home can be hard to determine for your elderly loved one. You want your loved one to be taken care of by kind and helpful healthcare professionals in a safe and secure environment. Cases of abuse in nursing homes are the last thing you want to find out about, but unfortunately they do occur often, as a nursing home abuse lawyer in Philadelphia, PA knows well.
For families preparing to move their loved one to a nursing home facility, learning the warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect is crucial so that incidents can be reported early, as a trusted Philadelphia, PA nursing home abuse lawyer such as one at Wieand Law Firm, LLC would advise. Become familiar with some of the common signs of abuse below so you can take urgent action if the situation arises.
Unexplained Injuries
Physical signs of abuse such as cuts, bruises, burns, or other types of injuries are common among abuse victims. If an employee gets frustrated or angry at a resident, they might strike them with objects or handle them in a rough manner that injures them. The injuries may be covered up so that they aren’t easily observed.
Pressure Ulcers
Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are painful wounds that elderly patients confined to a bed or chair for long periods often suffer from. They have to be moved regularly so that bedsores or pressure ulcers don’t form. Patients who experienced pressure ulcers can be vulnerable to infections. Nursing home negligence often involves employees who fail to reposition a patient constantly, and a PA nursing home law firm may be able to help.
Increased Fear or Anxiety
A resident who has been a victim of nursing home abuse may act differently around their abuser. They might suddenly come more fearful around certain employees or display other mood changes. If you notice these changes in your loved one, it may be a sign that abuse is occurring.
Sudden Changes in Financial Decisions
Sudden changes to a will or other legal document that your loved one makes after spending time in a nursing home may be a warning sign. If you notice that your loved one has made a financial decision that seems questionable or out of place, it can be a point of concern and reason to talk with a nursing home lawyer in Philadelphia, PA.
Contact a Nursing Home Lawyer
As soon as you notice these signs occurring, take action as soon as possible. No elderly resident in a nursing home should have to endure abuse from those who have a duty to care for them. Talk to trusted PA nursing home lawyers if you suspect that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse.
