Our elders play an integral role in our society, providing wisdom and history. As many senior citizens are unable to care for themselves, they rely on nursing homes to help. While these facilities help care for loved ones, some may fall below the standard of care, resulting in nursing home abuse. Understanding what signs to look for can help protect your loved one, so you’ll want to keep reading. If you suspect neglect or abuse, you’ll want to contact a Broward County nursing home abuse lawyer for further assistance.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
Understanding what constitutes abuse and neglect is essential to protecting your loved one. This occurs when a nursing home staff member intentionally or unintentionally inflicts harm on an elderly patient.
Unfortunately, this abuse can happen for a number of reasons. The facility may be short-staffed, which can lead to burnout and the inability to properly care for patients. As a result, they may take their anger out on innocent patients.
Abuse occurs when someone intentionally inflicts pain or suffering on another person. This can include:
- Assault (slapping, hitting, shaking, biting)
- Withholding medication as a punishment
- Withholding food and water
- Rape and sexual assault
- Emotional abuse
What Are the Signs?
It’s essential to understand the signs you should be on the lookout for if you have a loved one in the care of a nursing home. Though it can be devastating to imagine your loved one suffering, knowing the signs and being able to identify them can help protect your loved one. The following are common signs of abuse and neglect:
- Unexplained broken bones
- Fear of staff members
- Complaints about members
- Dehydration and malnutrition
- Bedsores
- Poor cleanliness conditions
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Lacerations
- Extreme weight loss
What Can I Do if I Suspect Abuse in Florida?
If you believe your loved one is a victim of abuse in their nursing home, you must take the necessary steps to protect them. If they are in immediate danger, you should call emergency services to get your loved one immediate medical treatment.
You’ll also want to file with the Florida Department of Health. However, this means they will simply receive the report, but this does not mean they will be able to promptly investigate the incident. As such, it is strongly recommended that you consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
At the Finizio Law Group, we understand that trusting others with your loved ones can be challenging. That’s why it can be devastating to discover that your loved one is suffering abuse at the hands of those who are supposed to care for them. Our dedicated legal team will do everything to fight the injustice your loved one has suffered. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
