Nursing home neglect laws require that patients be regularly turned to prevent bed sores from occurring.  These sores are not only painful to the patient, but can potentially lead to more serious health problems such as dangerous infections.  Therefore, any sores noticed by family members should be reported to a nursing home doctor or staff member immediately.  Even if the bed sore appears negligible, failure to report the issue can too be a form of nursing home neglect.

An unfortunate truth with most nursing home neglect or abuse victims is that they rarely call out for help.  Often times they are too scared to speak up or may even lack the ability to communicate effectively.  Thus, family members must pay close attention to their loved one’s health conditions at all times.  Otherwise, health issues such as bed sores may go unresolved.

Various forms of nursing home neglect can lead to serious health complications and even death.  While thin elderly individuals are more naturally prone to the development of beds sores, despite frequent turning, the slightest evidence of a sore should be addresssed by the nursing home doctors and/or staff on call.  This may include situations where patients require further bed turning than otherwise stated by law.

It is easy to understand why nursing home neglect can more difficult to discern than nursing home abuse.  While abuse can be very evident, such as the appearance of scars, bruises and mental alterations, neglect can often include more subtle changes as:

• bed sores
• slow starvation and/or
• dehydration

However, when any of these signs become apparent, it is important that the nursing home be promptly confronted.  Having said this, you may find that the nursing home or the staff member in question, is quick to shrug off your worries and concerns.  Whether there are loose explanations provided or promised actions never taken, either can require further recourse.

If the evidence of nursing home neglect continues to persist, you may need to report your issues to a qualified nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer.  He or she can offer sound advice for resolving neglect, and if need be, taking your case to court for legal action.

The importance of reporting nursing home neglect at first sight cannot be stressed enough.  The health of a loved one should never go unresolved.  And if a lawsuit is ever needed, your report may serve as evidence in a court of law.

Proving an elderly patient has been subjected to drug abuse is no simple task in the courtroom.  As such, attorneys often recommend class action suits to show a series of cases rather than a solitary occurrence.  However, drug abuse can sometimes be an isolated event.  In these cases, a reputable nursing home abuse lawyer should find another avenue for defense.

In situations where family members frequently visit their loved one, drug abuse can be more easily detected in nursing homes.  Telltale signs often include:

• Sudden withdrawal from communication or routine activities,
• Oversleeping,
• Inattentiveness when spoken to and/or the
• Sudden onset of drooling, nose picking or tongue smacking

If drug abuse is suspected, seeking legal consultation may be the next logical step.  In most cases, an attorney will not only try to stop the abuse, but aim for compensation including funds for relocation of the patient to a safer facility.  However, lawsuits can sometimes lead to repercussions, so moving your loved one to alternative facility may be wise before case proceedings.  As well, an attorney may be able to legally break the nursing home contract even during the investigation.

Because it can be burdensome for an elderly patient to handle their own lawsuit, it’s often upon family members to see the process through to fruition.  Although this can be a grievous undertaking, it may be necessary to keep proceedings in order and on schedule.

If you suspect a nursing home of over-medication, or any other form of elderly abuse, an attorney should be promptly notified.  Elderly abuse can often be ceased simply by contacting an attorney.  Well before a trial is ever needed, this is sometimes enough to persuade the accused nursing home to raise their standard of care.

Next, a nursing home abuse lawyer can be located in your area by visiting LegalMatch or FindLaw. The area of practice is often called “Injury, Health and Disability” or “Accident and Injury,” and the subcategory, “Nursing Home Abuse” or “Malpractice.”

Once you find a nursing home abuse attorney, you’ll need to state your case. The attorney will then determine the extent of the elder abuse or nursing home neglect that occurred, whether it is persisting, and if other residents have been subject to the same abuse. In the event more cases are uncovered, a “class action” lawsuit may be sought against the nursing home in a court of law.

Since elderly abuse may affect multiple individuals at the nursing home, it’s important to present cases like this to an attorney. The nursing home attorney will then decide whether there’s enough substantiating evidence for a trial. By presenting the case to a lawyer, a person may be protecting various elderly at the nursing home and not just their family member(s). If in fact the case is won, it will help change the lives of many, and all because one person had the courage to speak up.

Physical or Drug Abuse:

• Hitting, burning, kicking or restraining an elderly person;
• Imprisonment or confinement;
• Providing the patient with an overdose of medication or the wrong prescription

Psychological Abuse:

• Verbal abuse to intimidate an elderly person;
• Constant ridicule or criticizing to humiliate them;
• Ignoring the patient to induce feelings of insignificance

Financial Abuse:

• Illegal or unauthorized use of their valuables;
• Fraudulent obtainment of power of attorney

Sexual Abuse:

• Forcing an elderly person to engage in sexual activities or conversations against their will

Negligence

• Depriving an elderly person of food, water, heat, clothing or necessary medication

With more than 1.5 million elderly persons residing in assisted living facilities today, nursing home abuse and negligence is on the rise.  Simply put, many nursing homes fall short of the quality care and individualized attention they promise to provide loved ones.  Nursing home negligence lawyers believe these incidents will only continue to rise as the ratio of elderly patients to caregivers grows.  Needless to say, it is a troubling reality for the families and friends of patients living in nursing homes.

Another distressing realization is the number of nursing homes that have been reported for abuse and negligence.  To date, one third of all nursing homes in America have been cited.  Given this number merely represents reported incidents required by law, it’s truly unbelievable what false expectations we having for nursing homes.  Imagine how many cases of abuse and negligence are not being reported!  After all, it’s in the best interest of the nursing home to keep these incidents under wraps.

This is why talking to a nursing home negligence attorney can be critical, if you feel a friend or family member has fallen victim to abuse. Taking legal action against these facilities will send a clear message.  Nursing home abuse and negligence is not to be tolerated.

To fulfill an unmet need, nursing homes were created for persons no longer self-reliant. The facilities were originally developed to provide tending aid to an ever-aging population. However, as the number of elderly increases from generation-to-generation, the ratio of elderly to caregivers does too. Some argue this is a root cause for elderly abuse in nursing homes; however, this is not a valid excuse and facilities must be held accountable.

Signs of elderly abuse include noticeable concerns such as bruises and scrapes, particularly if they repeatedly occur. However, things like this can happen, and obtaining an attorney is not always necessary unless more severe signs of elderly abuse are accompanied.

It’s not uncommon in nursing homes for an elderly person to slip and fall on occasion, even at the most reputable nursing homes. Though persistent falls may be signs of elderly abuse and should be documented in the event a lawyer is ever needed.

As well, mental and emotional mistreatment can be another sign of elderly abuse. This often happens from caregivers who have little concern for the well-being of others. They often ignore personal complaints and may use hurtful words towards the elderly they care for at their facility.

Concerns of self-worth can be a major issue for elderly people, since they may often feel like they have less to offer society. Thus, mental and emotional abuse from caregivers can be detrimental to their self-esteem. It’s important to look for the signs of elderly abuse and understand that a nursing homes abuse lawyer can help recover damages for wronged parties.