What Are the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in Michigan?
Nursing home abuse and neglect are serious problems throughout the United States, affecting approximately 5 million people each year. Many victims are afraid or uncertain as to how they can stop the abuse, and it is not always easy for a victim’s family members to recognize that abuse is happening. If you have a loved one who is living in an elder care facility, it is important that you watch out for possible signs of abuse so that you can protect your loved one and take legal action.
Common Indicators of Nursing Home Abuse in Grand Rapids
Entrusting your family member’s care with another party is often a difficult decision to make, but in most circumstances, it is necessary if your loved one cannot live on his or her own anymore. Any of the following signs can possibly point to nursing home abuse or neglect:
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Behavioral changes: If your loved one starts to seem depressed or scared, it could indicate that he or she is being abused by nursing home staff. Abuse can also result in confusion and other symptoms that you might expect to see in someone with dementia.
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Tension between residents and caregivers: If your loved one is guarded or combative around caregivers and other staff, or if he or she complains about the care received, it could be a sign that something more serious is happening when you are not around. The same may be true if the staff appear to be disgruntled or resentful when interacting with your loved one.
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Unexplained injuries: Bruises, cuts, sprains, and broken bones that your loved one cannot or will not explain may be the result of physical or sexual abuse on the part of a caregiver.
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Poor hygiene: If your loved one has not been recently bathed, or if his or her clothes, bedding, or living area are dirty or in disarray, this could mean that nursing home staff is neglecting to provide the appropriate level of care. Bedsores can also be a clear sign that your loved one is not getting the attention and care that he or she needs.
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Weight loss: A significant weight loss could mean that your loved one is not being provided with the proper nutrition, or that he or she is not eating because of the abuse he or she has suffered.
Pursuing Compensation
If you have seen one or more of these signs when visiting your loved one at a nursing home, you should speak to an attorney who can help you further investigate the situation to uncover evidence of abuse or neglect. In these cases, both individual staff members and the operators of the nursing home may be liable for the harm your loved one has suffered, and you have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Contact a Grand Rapids Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
John D. Tallman, Attorney at Law, has nearly 40 years of experience representing those who have suffered harm at the hands of another, including in cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect. He can help you stand up for your loved one’s interests and hold abusive or negligent nursing home staff accountable for their actions. Contact a knowledgeable and compassionate Grand Rapids personal injury attorney today at 616-361-8850 to schedule a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.nursinghomeabuse.org/nursing-home-abuse/statistics/
https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/signs/
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