Putting your loved ones in a nursing home can be a difficult decision. Nobody wants to live away from their dear family members, but sometimes people’s busy schedules and lifestyle does not give them the time and energy to care for their loved ones in their own homes. This is where specialized institutions like nursing homes can help.
However, it can be disheartening when the nursing home you trusted to keep your loved one safe and happy does the opposite. Nursing home abuse is a common problem in the United States, and knowing what steps to take to protect your loved one’s rights is important. To know your legal rights, talk to a lawyer today.
Steps to take after nursing home abuse
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Call 911 in an emergency.
If your loved one has been in an accident at the nursing home or you suspect they are in danger, you should call 911 immediately. Calling the emergency services is the best way to deal with nursing home abuse as soon as it happens. The ambulance will arrive immediately and provide your loved one with the necessary care. Additionally, the police officers will arrive and begin an investigation of the accident, potentially collecting evidence against the nursing home.
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Note signs of nursing home abuse or neglect.
If you suspect your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect at their nursing home but are not too certain about it, you should start recognizing a few signs. Nursing home abuse can manifest in several ways, such as:
- Physical abuse: bruises, injuries
- Nursing home neglect: untreated illnesses, lack of hygiene, improper care
- Sexual abuse: unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
- Psychological abuse: anxiety, depression, negatively changed behavior
- Financial abuse: unexplained and strange financial transactions
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Conduct an investigation.
If your loved one seems to have suffered from neglect and abuse at the nursing home, you should hire an attorney to help you investigate the truth. Your attorney can use their expertise, knowledge, and special tools and resources to find information supporting your claim and recover damages from the liable party.
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Document the abuse.
Documenting the abuse as much as possible and creating evidence is important. You can take photos and videos of your loved one’s injuries or bruises, keep records of unusual financial transactions, collect DNA samples to prove sexual abuse, etc. If there has been verbal abuse, such as yelling or making fun of, you can ask about it the other residents as they may have been witnesses to such incidents.
