As our population ages, a rapidly growing number of seniors in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Ashtabula counties are moving to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Although most are accredited and provide seniors with high quality care serious abuse and neglect do, occur.
At Anzellotti, Sperling, Pazol & Small, we recognize that families often agonize over the decision to place a loved one in a nursing home. Because we are committed to preventing injuries and accidents, we’ve prepared a guide listing ten factors families should look for when evaluating a nursing facility. In addition, we encourage families to obtain detailed reports and information about local nursing homes by visiting Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare Website.
Unfortunately, no matter how much caution families exercise when selecting a facility, abuse and neglect do occur. To help you determine if a loved one is being victimized, here are some basic definitions of abuse and neglect, along with the signs and symptoms you should look for every time you visit a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Nursing home abuse can include, but is not limited to:
- Physical Abuse
- Rape or Sexual Assault
- Over-Sedation
- Verbal or Emotional Abuse
Nursing home neglect may consist of:
- Failure to Provide Enough Clean Clothing and Bed Linens
- Denial of Proper Nutrition
- Denial of Appropriate Medical Care
- Lack of Protection from Abuse by Staff
- Lack of Protection from Abuse by Other Residents
- Lack of Protection from Health and Safety Hazards
Signs of abuse and neglect you should look for:
- Weight Loss
- Bruises or Welts
- Frequent Swelling
- Dehydration
- Bedsores
- Soiled Clothing or Bed Sheets
- Changes In Attitude or Mood
You should also be concerned if a loved one appears withdrawn, fearful, or depressed and be careful not to dismiss complaints about the treatment they are receiving or if they say they feel threatened by staff or other residents.
If you see signs or suspect that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, don’t delay. Contact us immediately. Our experienced legal team will listen to your concerns, evaluate the situation, give you our best advice, and fight for the justice your loved one deserves.