Wraning Signs of Nursing Home Negligence

The Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers Network

Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Almost 1/3 of U.S. nursing homes were cited for abuse between 1999 and 2001

There are many things that can indicate abuse or neglect in a nursing home. You should keep an eye out for anything unusual, especially unexplained physical marks such as bruises or fractures. Any noticeable change in your loved one’s behavior or personality can be a signal that he or she is being mistreated. Remember, many times elderly people may be too embarrassed or ashamed to speak about their abuse. To keep your family member safe, you need to get involved and ask questions. Below are a few lists of common warning signs that may indicate abuse or neglect:

Your question or comment for our lawyer.

General Warning Signs

Bed/pressure sores

Low self-esteem/depression

Use of physical or chemical restraints

Use of unauthorized medication

Bruising or fractures

Malnutrition

Poor personal hygiene

Frequent illness/failure to report illness

Unexplained or unexpected death of resident

Rapid weight loss or weight gain

Failure of staff to report any changes in condition

Serious injury requiring hospitalization

Dirty living quarters, odors

Lack of privacy

Loneliness or Inactivity

Unanswered calls for help

Signs of Physical Abuse

Assault

Battery

Sexual Assault

Sexual Battery

Rape

Unreasonable physical restraint

Prolonged or continual deprivation of food or water

Use of a physical or chemical restraint or psychotropic medication for any purpose not consistent with that authorized by the physician

Giving too much medication

Not giving needed medication

Unexplained injuries

Caretaker cannot adequately explain condition

Open wounds, cuts, bruises or welts

Elder reports of being slapped or mistreated

Slapping, pushing, shaking, beating

Forcing an older person to stay in a room

Heavy medication or sedation

Any incident involving broken bones, especially a fractured hip

Injuries requiring emergency treatment or hospitalization

Any injury or death occurring during or shortly after an episode of wandering (including outside the facility) when the staff is not aware that the resident is missing for some period of time

Bruises, especially in clusters or regular patterns in areas such as the neck or groin

Black eyes, welts, lacerations, rope marks, bone fractures, broken bones, skull fractures, open wounds, cuts, punctures and untreated injuries in various stages of healing;

Burns (commonly on soles, palms, or buttocks);

Laboratory evidence of medication overdose or failure to administer prescribed drugs;

An elder’s sudden withdrawn behavior, or the refusal of the caretaker to allow visitors to see the elder alone.

Signs of Neglect

Physical neglect: disregard for the necessities of daily living

Medical neglect: lack of care for existing medical problems

Failure to prevent dehydration, malnutrition, and bed sores

Failure to assist in personal hygiene, or in the provision of food, clothing, or shelter

Unsanitary and unclean conditions

Infections

Failure to protect from health and safety hazards

Poor access to medical services

Signs of Verbal or Emotional Abuse

Resident appears emotionally upset or agitated

Resident is extremely withdrawn and non-communicative

Unusual behavior (sucking, biting, rocking)

Resident exhibits humiliating, insulting, frightening, threatening or ignoring behavior towards family and friends

Resident prefers isolation

If you notice any one of these signs of nursing home abuse or neglect,
take action right away.

Find an experienced nursing home negligence attorney to start a prompt investigation to find out if your loved one is being mistreated. They’ll do everything they can to hold the facility accountable for the harm they’ve caused and work hard to make sure it never happens again.

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