Discovering Nursing Home Abuse

11 Jul Discovering Nursing Home Abuse

Abusing somebody in a nursing home facility is an egregious enough offense that most people really don't want to accuse anyone of having done it. Unfortunately, this may lead people to doubt very good instincts about whether or not someone they loved is being abused in such a facility. Here are some of the things that may lead you to take action if you believe that someone you love who is in a nursing home is being abused. Remember, you can also report nursing home abuse if you believe it is happening to somebody else at the nursing home facility with whom you have no real emotional involvement. You very well may be doing them a favor.

Overmedication

Overmedication is one of the most common forms of nursing home abuse. It is also sometimes the result of simple negligence. If you go to visit a loved one and they don't suffer from any sort of a disorder that would affect them cognitively, watch out for signs that they may be being overmedicated. They may, for example, seem like they are intoxicated on a drug. They may wander in their conversations, have a difficult time paying attention, be nearly sedated or exhibit other signs that they have taken too much of a given drug. This has to be reported immediately, as it can quickly turn into a deadly situation.

Physical Abuse

Sadly, physical abuse is all too common in nursing home scenarios. Because people in nursing homes are generally very vulnerable physically, these types of facilities do tend to attract people who have a sadistic streak and who are looking for victims. Abuse also happens when the staff at a nursing home is overworked and when they do not adequately attend to the needs of patients.

Look for the types of signs of abuse that you would find on anyone else who is being physically assaulted. Bruising, cuts, broken bones and other injuries are common signs of abuse. If you believe that any such injuries your loved one has are suspicious, contact a physician right away and let them know what you think is going on. The physician will generally work with you to investigate the situation, as physicians are, first and foremost, concerned with preserving people's health.

If you do have a case of nursing home abuse in your family, nursing home abuse lawyers can help. You can call one for a free consultation to see what they may be able to do for you.