Keep An Eye Out For The Following Signs Of Nursing Home Abuse

The decision to put an aging loved one in a nursing home can be a very emotional one. People in South Carolina want to ensure their loved one will be well taken care of. However, instances of nursing home abuse do occur. There are signs people can look out for that may indicate their loved one in a nursing home is being abused.

If a person has bruises, has fractured a bone, has burns or has pressure marks, this could indicate the person is being physically abused. In addition, if a person’s hygiene becomes poorer, they are losing weight or have bedsores, this could be an indication of neglect. If a person stops engaging in their normal activities, is depressed or has become argumentative, this may indicate they are being emotionally abused.

This is significant as those who have suffered from elder abuse have a 300 percent greater chance of dying in comparison to those who have not been abused. Nursing homes that commit abuse or neglect could face criminal and civil penalties. It may also be possible to pursue a lawsuit against the nursing home employees and the nursing home itself.

Nursing homes have a duty of care that their residents will be well-cared for physically and emotionally. When emotional or physical abuse or neglect occur in a nursing home, the victim can suffer greatly. In the worst of cases, a person could even die from nursing home abuse or neglect. Therefore, when a nursing home or its employees breach their duty of care and a resident dies, the victim’s loved ones may need to take legal action against those responsible for the death.