According to Families for Better Care, Louisiana nursing homes are among the lowest ranked in the country. The state ranks 43rd out of 50, which points to a long list of nursing home issues.
This low ranking might indicate nursing home abuse. If you have a family member in an elderly care home and suspect they’re suffering through abuse, you’ll want to know what signs to look for.
This guide will discuss what you should know. Keep reading to learn more.
Signs of Physical Abuse
While signs of abuse might not always be so apparent, physical signs are some of the first things you might notice in cases of elderly abuse. Broken bones are common in these cases. Unexplained bruises or scars are other things to look for.
Nursing home staff refusing to give you time alone with your loved one could also indicate physical abuse is occurring.
Signs of Emotional Abuse
According to the World Health Organization, about 11% of older adults report being psychologically abused while 33% of older adults and their proxies report physiological abuse. This difference shows how much harder it is to define signs of psychological abuse.
Sudden changes in behavior could indicate your loved one is experiencing psychological abuse. Picking up behaviors like mumbling, rocking, or memory issues that didn’t exist before could indicate psychological abuse has occurred.
If your loved one exhibits fear around their caregiver, they could be experiencing this type of abuse.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
Signs of sexual abuse might be hard to find if you’re not involved in the daily care of your elderly loved one. This is why it’s important to stay informed on any medical issues that might arise.
Genital infections, STDs, genital bruising, and torn or stained undergarments unrelated to existing medical conditions could be evidence of sexual abuse an elder is enduring.
Signs of Neglect
The failure to provide adequate care is also considered a form of abuse. Failing to provide an elder with proper medications and healthy food is a form of neglect.
Structural issues inside the nursing home that pose a danger to the residents should be considered a sign of neglect. An elder that appears dirty or has soiled bedding and clothing is also being neglected by the nursing home staff.
Signs of Financial Abuse
Other nursing home problems include financial abuse. Any unexplained withdrawals from an elder’s bank account, changes in wills life insurance policies, or unusual purchases with their credit card all point to financial exploitation.
Wright & Gray attorneys can help you determine what kind of legal action to take if you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse.
Look for These Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
It’s important to know the signs of nursing home abuse so you know what to look for if you suspect abuse is occurring.
The experienced attorneys at Wright & Gray can help you determine what kind of abuse your loved one is facing and what legal recourse you can take against the abuse. Reach out today for a free consultation.