What exactly is- Nursing Home Abuse?

by Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Fighting for Victims of Nursing Home Abuse

Abuse can take place anytime and anywhere. It comes in various forms -- physical, verbal, or emotional. The term alone connotes negativity; hence, this act should never be tolerated regardless of whether it's done on children, adults, or the elderly.

It's unthinkable that abuse can even be done to the elderly. But this is a reality that people should be aware of, especially for families who put their elderly loved ones in the care of nursing homes. There have been many instances of nursing home abuse in recent years, with some of these incidents not reported to the proper authorities.

Abuse in nursing homes can mean different things – from malnutrition, dehydration, lack of medical care to physical injuries, and worse, death. Emotional abuse can include depression, humiliation, harassment, deprivation, and intimidation. These may be reported either by the caregivers, employees, family members, and friends. Unfortunately, some of these cases are not reported by the victims for several reasons, such as fear of retaliation, lack of knowledge on what to do, and fear of being isolated.

It is, therefore, encouraged that family members of the elderly monitor their loved ones and visit them in the nursing home as often as possible. Being observant of the surroundings, employees, and other residents is essential in detecting possible nursing home abuse and neglect. Signs that something is wrong with your loved ones to include physical evidence, a sudden change in personality, lose interest in old habits, and neglect by the caregiver.

If you suspect that your elderly loved one is not well taken care of in the nursing home, it is highly recommended that you report it to the management as soon as possible. In this way, the facility can take immediate action to address the problem. However, if you feel that your first action did not get any prompt response, you can always file a case with the local court. To guide you in the legal process, you should seek the help of a nursing home abuse lawyer.