Each year, many families make the decision to entrust a nursing home with the care of an elderly loved one. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always end up being the safest option. Research on elder abuse has found that more than 50% of the staff in these facilities admitted to inflicting some form of abuse on senior residents. As such, the first step to protecting your own friends and family members is recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse. This can help you take immediate action to stop it before your loved one suffers serious harm. Here are a few clues to watch for.

How to Tell When Someone Is Experiencing Nursing Home Abuse 

1. Unexplained Medical Problems 

Physical abuse often becomes evident when a resident begins to sustain unexplained illnesses or injuries. Broken bones, bruises, cuts, burns, and severe infections are some of the more common red flags. Bedsores also indicate a lack of proper care since they only develop when a person has been lying in one spot for a long period. 

2. Poor Personal Hygiene 

Nursing home residents often need assistance in order to maintain basic personal hygiene. This includes brushing their teeth, bathing them, getting them dressed, combing their hair, and clipping their nails. If patients are left in soiled clothing and their dental care is neglected, it can lead to serious health conditions. Poor hygiene can also affect their emotional health. 

3. Withdrawal or Depression 

If your loved one starts to show uncharacteristic signs of being sad or antisocial, pay close attention to their behavior. When nursing home abuse is taking place, the victim will frequently isolate themselves and withdraw from activities they once enjoyed. 

4. Controlling Staff Members

Staff members can feel overwhelmed and overworked at times, but if they’re regularly displaying controlling behavior, this can be evidence of abuse. Confining a resident for no good reason, not letting them speak for themself, or restricting their access to their family are all incidents that should be reported.

If you have reason to believe a loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, reach out to Cada Cada & Jewson. They’ll help you properly report your suspicions and explore your legal options for holding the facility accountable. For nearly 50 years, they’ve remained dedicated to pursuing compensation for personal injury victims throughout the Lincoln, NE, area. Call (402) 477-2233 to schedule a consultation or visit them online to learn more about their services.