If your loved one lives in a long-term care facility—or will soon—it’s wise to familiarize yourself with nursing home neglect and abuse. Unfortunately, such transgressions can occur at even the best facilities. What’s more, they happen far more often than many families realize. If you call an elder law attorney at the first signs of abuse, though, you can step in immediately to protect your relative and take prompt legal action on their behalf. 

Identifying Elder Abuse 

As there are several different kinds of elder abuse, the most obvious warning signs will depend on the circumstances. While signs of physical or sexual abuse include bruises, lacerations, and other unexplained injuries, for example, signs of emotional abuse include isolation, depression, and dramatic shifts in mood or behavior. 

Seniors can also be victims of financial abuse. Warning signs include missed payments, unexplained withdrawals, and inexplicable changes to estate planning arrangements. Neglect is another form of elder abuse that can have devastating consequences. Weight loss, malnutrition, poor hygiene, dehydration, and bedsores are some of the most troublesome signs of neglect. 

Reporting Elder Abuse

If you suspect elder abuse, you may feel compelled to report it to your loved one’s caregivers or to the facility that employs them. Because this could give them a chance to alter or even destroy damning evidence, though, it’s wisest to discuss your concerns with an elder law attorney first. After evaluating the situation, a lawyer will help you relocate your relative, thereby ensuring their safety, and commence legal action against all liable parties. 

Preventing Elder Abuse

The best way to prevent nursing home abuse is by researching long-term care facilities thoroughly before moving your relative into one. Tour your top choices in person and seek referrals from other residents or their families. An elder law attorney can also help you confirm the home’s licenses and certifications as well as their hiring practices and litigation history. 

If you think your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, turn to The Law Office of Jeffrey A. Robertson, P.C. Based in Warrenton, MO, this practice is led by a former military member and prosecutor who’s been in the legal field since 1986. In addition to elder law, attorney Robertson is well-versed in criminal defense and family law. To request a consultation, reach out on his website or call (636) 528-5220.