{"id":2501,"date":"2019-10-25T15:50:03","date_gmt":"2019-10-25T15:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chblawfirm.com\/blog\/?p=2501"},"modified":"2019-10-25T15:50:03","modified_gmt":"2019-10-25T15:50:03","slug":"what-to-do-if-you-suspect-nursing-home-abuse-or-neglect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chblawfirm.com\/blog\/what-to-do-if-you-suspect-nursing-home-abuse-or-neglect\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Do if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
When you suspect misconduct or abuse in your loved one\u2019s care facility, it is important to take action fast before any more harm can be done. But many people are insure how to investigate or report nursing home abuse to the proper authorities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are concerned that a loved one is being mistreated or neglected at their live-in care facility, continue reading to learn how to spot the signs, where to report your concerns, and what legal options you might have for recovering compensation for your and your loved one\u2019s damages and losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIndianapolis Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers 317-881-2700<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Nursing Home Abuse<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Nursing home and live-in care facility abuse can come in many forms and in various environments. However, virtually all forms of nursing home abuse fall into one or more of four primary categories: financial abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and financial exploitation. Within these primary categories lies a long list of possible misconducts and neglectful actions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most often, neglect plays a major role in all these situations; and although it can also come in many forms, neglect is basically a failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, hygiene, and\/or health care for a resident. It is also important to note that such situations of live-in care facility neglect can happen to non-elderly individuals, such as those with mental and physical handicaps and special needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nursing Home Abuse Statistics <\/h1>\n\n\n\n
According to a study conducted and documented by the\nNational Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) in 2000, of all the nursing home\nresidents surveyed, 44% claimed they had experienced some form of abuse or\nmaltreatment within the past 12 months. In the same study, more than 95% of the\nresidents interviewed stated they have witnessed some form of neglect or\nsuffered neglect themselves within the past year. Even more troubling, the\nNational Center on Elder Abuse also reported that 1 out of 24 cases of nursing\nhome neglect and abuse are actually reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signs of Nursing Home Mistreatment<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
There are numerous signs to look out for if you\nsuspect that a resident is being mistreated or neglected in some way at their\nlive-in care facility. Signs of physical or sexual abuse are easier to\nidentify, as they often come in the form of bruises, wounds, broken bones,\ndepression, fear, anxiety, social withdrawal, and even unexplained sexually\ntransmitted diseases. Mental and emotional abuse are a bit more challenging\nto spot unless you take a closer look. Signs of emotional abuse can reveal\nitself in the form of fear, anxiety, depression, mood swings, lack of energy,\nwithdrawal from social circles, and similar uncharacteristic changes in\nbehavior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signs of financial abuse and exploitation can also come in many forms. If a care giver withholds affordable amenities and comforts in their dwelling, or has control over one\u2019s finances but fails to provide for their ward, it is a form of abuse. Other signs a victim might show include uncharacteristically excessive gift-giving, financial payouts for companionship, signing over power of attorney or will without understanding the transaction, and similar actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic neglect entails conditions and actions such as:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Failure to provide\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25ba Basic hygiene or appropriate clothing; \u25ba Appropriate clothing; \u25ba Nutritional food; \u25ba Medical aids (i.e. Glasses, cane, walker, dentures, hearing aid, or medications); \u25ba Clean and safe dwelling; \u25ba Adequate facilities (i.e. kitchen appliances, HVAC, plumbing, electricity)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actions such as\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25ba Leaving a resident with dementia unsupervised; \u25ba Confining a resident in bed without care; \u25ba Not treating bed sores or pressure ulcers;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Report Nursing Home Abuse<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
If you feel that your loved one\u2019s situation or\ncondition is an emergency, contact 911 right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you strongly suspect that your loved one is not\nbeing adequately cared for in their nursing home or live-in care facility, your\nfirst priority is to get in touch with a professional who can represent your\nfamily\u2019s best interests. You can choose to contact Adult Protective Services\n(APS), or visit the National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence website\nfor a list of elder abuse reporting hotlines in Indiana. You also have the\noption of using the U.S. Administration on Aging Eldercare Locator, which can\nconnect you to services for elder care and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you know your loved one is safe, contact a\nnursing home abuse lawyer for information on your rights to recovering\ncompensation for your damages and losses, such as medical bills, hospital\nexpenses, lost wages, prolonged therapy, restitution, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indiana Elder Abuse Lawyers You Can Trust<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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