Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse is an unfortunate and distressing problem in modern society. Current estimates from the National Center on Elder Abuse claim that one in twenty nursing home patients has suffered from neglect or abuse during their stay in a long-term facility. Additionally, research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that nursing home abuse played a vital role in the death of 14,000 patients between the years of 1999 and 2002.

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, it is important to be able to recognize the signs of neglect and abuse. Neglect is usually harder to spot because it doesn’t have violent implications and usually occurs slowly, over a long period of time. Signs of neglect include disregard for taking care of daily living necessities, failure to prevent malnutrition, bed sores, and dehydration, infections, poor access to medical services, and unsanitary conditions.

Types of abuse include sexual assault, physical restraint, deprivation of food or water, assault, battery, improper medical administration, and emotional and verbal assault. Symptoms of abuse include unexplainable injuries and wounds, emotional withdrawal and isolation, the start of unusual behavior (rocking, biting, etc.), rapid weight loss or gain, and frequent illness.

If you suspect a loved one is being neglected or abused in their long-term care facility, it is advised to immediately seek experienced and knowledgeable legal counsel. The Racine nursing home abuse lawyers at Habush Habush & Rottier will be the aggressive defenders of your loved ones. Contact them today at 800.682.3434 to discuss your specific situation.