Protecting a Loved One From Nursing Home Neglect
Many families find it hard to place an elderly parent or disabled relative into a nursing home or assisted living facility. It can be even harder to acknowledge the possibility that your relative might be subject to abuse or neglect. If you're uneasy about the care being received by a vulnerable parent based on what you've observed during visits, your first moves should be to get your relative into a secure placement and report the unsafe conditions to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
We Are Tough, Smart Lawyers to Have on Your Side. Call 520-547-7940 or 800-882-0828 in Tucson
Your next move should be to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable lawyer. If you need advice about your family's options for protecting a vulnerable relative or elder from abuse and neglect, contact Fein, Flynn & Associates in Tucson for a free consultation.
It can be hard to distinguish the signs of neglect and abuse in a nursing home or assisted living situation from the symptoms of declining health, advanced age or a period of illness. Nevertheless, there are patterns that can indicate negligent or abusive treatment.
Keep an Eye Out for the Warning Signs of Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation
Any one of the following can suggest a strong possibility of abuse or neglect at a nursing home:
- Poor hygiene, malnutrition or dehydration
- Injuries caused by falls in corridors, bathrooms or out of bed
- Bruises, cuts or other superficial injuries
- Uncharacteristic moods like fearfulness, depression or listlessness
- Untreated bed sores (decubitus ulcers) or infections
- Patients who are left unattended for long periods of time`
Whether these symptoms result from understaffing, inadequate training, poor supervision, intentional abuse or an isolated accident will become clearer after your complaint is investigated. Right now, the main thing is to ensure the safety of your parent or relative.
If a home health care aide, visiting nurse or other professional provides caregiver services, there are some additional signs to look for. A major red flag is a refusal to leave you alone with your own mother or father, or other attempts to limit your access. "She can't come to the phone." "He's taking a nap, can you come back another time?"
Some warning signs are financial in nature, as when a caregiver suggests that granting a power of attorney would be much more convenient for everyone. To prevent financial exploitation, it's a good idea to monitor your relative's ability to pay bills and meet living expenses. You might also ask to take a look at bank and credit card statements on a regular basis.
To learn more about what to do when you have grounds to suspect abuse or neglect of an elderly relative, contact Fein, Flynn & Associates in Tucson.
