Recognizing the Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Choosing to place an elderly loved one into a nursing facility or to relocate to a nursing home as a senior citizen can be a difficult decision. The choice can be further complicated by the risk of abuse in some nursing home facilities that may not maintain an expected quality and standard of care.
The National Institute of Health defines elder abuse as “doing something or failing to do something that results in harm of an elderly person, or puts a helpless older person at risk of harm.” The Elder Abuse Daily states that every 5 seconds, an elderly person is abused. Some families must cope with the harshest of information when they discover that their loved ones have become a part of that statistic.
Elderly abuse can be recognized through extensive observation of nursing home facility practices. Families or senior citizens looking to live in a nursing home should research the facility prior to entering a contract for a living arrangement. Oklahoma residents can check for compliance with nursing home certifications and reports based on treatment from staff members in online resources, such as the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
Prior to placing a loved one in a nursing home, or enrolling in a nursing facility as a senior resident, observe the quality of current elderly patients. Nursing homes have a responsibility to ensure that residents are clean, comfortable, and provided with attentive care and assistance.
Studies suggest that visible signs of elder abuse can include frequent abandonment, consistent emergency room visits, and physical neglect. If you notice that other current patients are constantly left in solitude, dressed improperly, or with multiple wounds that appear untreated, more than likely this nursing home facility may be engaged in elderly abuse or neglect.
It is recommended that families visit their loved ones during different times to check for changes in nursing home facility practices. Families should also speak to their loved ones about the care and treatment that they are receiving, and to observe possible indications of fear and anxiety around nursing home facility staff employees.
If you or a loved one believes nursing home abuse or neglect has taken place, please contact the Oklahoma City elder abuse lawyers of Maples Law Firm at (405) 705-5050 for a free legal consultation. We will fight to protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.