Estate Law Groups Org. | Your Friend and Attorney

According to a review of state inspection records by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif, some 5,283 nursing homes were cited for abuse violations. There were nearly 9,000 homes abuse violations from January 1999 to January 2001.

Nursing homes are supposedly places for elderly where they could be taken care of. Families turn their loved ones to Nursing homes so that they will be provided with the love and the attention that they couldn’t provide to them. This thought is very disturbing thinking about the situation of our vulnerable
group and it is clear that the elderlies cannot easily defend themselves.

There are many forms of nursing home abuse. Either emotionally, physically, or financially any form is damaging. So it is very important to know the signs of nursing home abuse and contacting legal services if the suspect of abuse or neglect is present.

Neglect is one of the pervasive forms of abuse since neglect could lead to decline in general health and in the worst case could lead to death. What is worse here is that even in constant visits, neglect still could be overlooked and remain hidden.

There are many reasons why abuse and neglect are happening in nursing homes. Possible reasons are understaffing, low pay, overwork, and poor training. Registered nurses, though highly skilled, and well trained are still human that if management couldn’t fulfill needs then motivation in the part of the
workers gets low.

Physical abuse is visible in battery. A form of battery is the wrongful use of restraint. Restraint should always be the last resort in dealing with patients and must always be with an order from the physician. Administration of pharmaceutical drugs without the doctor’s order is still a battery. Insults, humiliation, threats, and attempts to frighten, though emotional, are still abuses. And this kind of abuse is the worst since there is no evidence and the pain is deep inside our vulnerable elderlies. Withholding food, water, and medications as well as falling and failure to maintain hygiene needs are forms of neglect.

Now some of the possible signs of neglect as seen are unusual bruising or bleeding, open wounds, sores or cuts, burns and abrasions, sudden and, unexplained change in weight, soiling, poor hygiene, smell of urine or feces, infections, loss of hair, torn, stained, or bloody clothing or bedding. When visiting, always observe the patient’s skin. Always take note of any dark colors and discoloration. Nursing homes have their schedules and procedures in maintaining patient’s proper hygiene and if the smell is evident then neglect should be suspected.

Among all the obvious signs, we must also take note of more discreet signs. Listlessness or unresponsiveness, infantile or other strange behaviors, and physical or emotional withdrawal are examples and they must be paid with more attention. Emotional abuse could lead to low self-esteem that could cause the elderly to withdraw socially.

If you note these signs, begin by notifying the facility management. Nursing homes are made to care. It should be a nice and friendly place for our elderlies on looking back to their spent life. If ever this remains unresolved, you can consult Estate Law Group to help you protect the rights of your aged loved ones by providing them with legal support.