People who are living in nursing homes deserve to have a safe environment. They shouldn’t ever have to worry about being abused by the employees who are supposed to take care of them. While most of the workers do care about the residents, there are some who act in a horrendous manner toward the people they should be caring for.
There are many forms of abuse that can occur in these long-term care facilities. Some of these are easier to spot than others, so you have to be vigilant if you’re trying to ensure that your loved one is being properly cared for.
Physical abuse is usually the easiest to spot because it normally causes marks, such as bruises or cuts. These may be hidden under clothing, so you may notice that the person is favoring certain areas. You can ask what’s going on and try to determine if there are any outward signs of the abuse.
Some residents might suffer from sexual, emotional or financial abuse. These are a bit more complex to spot but you may notice that your loved one isn’t behaving normally. They might seem more withdrawn or might be fearful of some workers. Visits might be a bit awkward because it might seem as though the employee is hovering and not really giving you time alone with the resident.
When you think your loved one is being mistreated in a nursing facility, you need to try to find out what’s going on so you can stop the problem. In some cases, you might be able to prove negligent hiring as part of a lawsuit regarding the abuse. This seeks to hold the nursing home liable for the financial damages your loved one incurred because of the abuse.
