 Nursing homes should be loving and nurturing places for elderly persons to enjoy the last years of their lives. If you have a family member who currently lives in a nursing home, you probably assume that the workers caring for your loved one are treating him or her with the utmost respect and kindness. Nursing homes should be like this and many, in fact, are respectable homes that treat their residents with proper care and respect. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes are the same, and nursing home residents can be physically and emotionally abused and can find themselves receiving substandard care. Information provided by a Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC personal injury lawyer can help you understand the rights of nursing home patients and any warning signs of potential nursing home abuse.
Rights of Nursing Home Patients
Nursing home patients are entitled to respect and a comfortable living environment. The rights of nursing home patients include the following:
- The right to privacy
- The right to access people outside of the nursing home
- The right to quality treatment provided without discrimination
- The right to participate in organizations and activities of his or her choice
- The right to private communication
If you have a loved one who is currently in a nursing home, it is important that you inform him or her of the above rights. Living in a nursing home may make someone feel as if she must do what she is told without exercising her rights to free choice or privacy. However, this is not true and each nursing home resident must understand that he she is free to speak up against caretakers if privacy, medical treatment or different care is desired.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse
Nursing home neglect may take a number of forms such as direct physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse or unlawful use of a patient’s financial resources. Signs of physical abuse may include:
- Broken bones or bone fractures
- Bed sores
- Open wounds
- Weight loss
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Overmedication
- Malnourishment or dehydration
- Refusal by nursing home staff to allow private visits with the nursing home resident
Further, injuries may result from:
- Intentional beatings
- Sexual assault
- The use of unnecessary restraints
- Preventable falls
- Improper supervision
Injuries may also result from neglect or the failure of the nursing home to provide a resident with food, water, shelter, clothing, or medical care.
While physical abuse is often the most obvious and brutal form of nursing home abuse, nursing home patients are sometimes often subject to emotional abuse as well and even assault. Emotional abuse may include threats, humiliation or isolation. Elderly people may respond to such abuse by eating less, becoming unhealthy or refusing to communicate with others. Other signs of emotional abuse include:
- Depression
- Withdrawal
- Confusion
- Child-like behavior
What to Do If You Suspect Your Loved One is a Victim of Nursing Home Neglect
If you feel that your loved one is exhibiting any of the above signs, you need to take steps to protect him or her. You should ask your elderly relative if he or she has suffered from any abuse. You should consider outside medical care or removing the resident from the nursing home. You may also choose to speak with the nursing home manager or another nursing home staff member such as a social worker. However, you may want to consult with an attorney before doing so to ensure that the proper steps are taken. If you feel that you need the assistance of a Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC nursing home abuse lawyer, contact the attorneys at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P. to assist you with this difficult situation. |
