It’s terrifying to think that the place you’ve entrusted to care for a loved one might be neglecting or even abusing them. However, it happens more than you may realize. Every year, around 5 million elders are abused. This results in approximately 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 having experienced some form of elderly abuse.
There are a number of ways people can suffer abuse in a nursing home:
- Physical/sexual abuse
- Bedsores/pressure ulcers
- Burns
- Choking
- Malnutrition
- Lack of oversite
- Mismanaged medication
- Lack of oversight
- And more
Nursing homes can be understaffed, which results in neglect, stress, and lapses in judgment by what staff there is. Regardless of the situation, there is no excuse for an elder suffering ongoing abuse or neglect from the facility and staff that are supposed to be caring for them.
Both federal and Ohio law requires nursing homes to keep their facility safe and free of hazards. Additionally, staff must provide adequate supervision and care. If you believe that the nursing facility caring for your parent has failed to do this, you should consider legal action.
How to Prove Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Proving nursing home abuse can be difficult, even if your parent or loved one has visible injuries. The elderly can be prone to accidents, and their bodies are more sensitive. Additionally, elderly who suffer abuse or neglect may have some degree of dementia or take medication that impairs their judgment and memory. It is largely up to you to take notice of what’s going on, gather evidence, and take action.
You should start by talking to your loved one, asking questions and taking detailed notes of everything they say. Additionally, you should make observations yourself. Pay attention to how they seem to be doing and keep an eye out for any bruises, cuts, etc. If you notice anything, ask for an explanation from the staff. You can also try to speak to other residents or their family members.
Be active in your loved one’s medical care and encourage providers to check for any current injuries. Make sure you have their medical history on hand as well. You should also take photographs of any visible injuries for your own records. If you believe your loved one’s health and well-being is in danger, you may want to consider switching to a different facility.
If you believe your loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse, it’s important that you act quickly. Even before you do anything of the actions listed above, you may want to speak with an injury attorney. They’ll help you understand your options and guide you through the process.
At The Richards Firm, the safety and well-being of our clients and their families is our number one priority. We are here to listen to your situation and help you find justice. For a nursing home abuse lawyer in the Hamilton, Ohio area, contact the offices of The Richard’s Firm today!