Unfortunately, abuse and negligence for the elderly in nursing homes is a very real fact. Many Oakland County residents have had to consult a
Oakland County nursing home abuse attorney in order to learn more about their rights in the event of abuse or neglect.
Types of Elder Care Abuse
Abuse can take many forms, including:
- Denying access to food and water
- Dispensing the wrong medication, or no medication
- Broken or inadequate toilet facilities
- A lack of, or improper, daily grooming
Signs of Elder Care Abuse
Although the person in the nursing home may not be able to communicate their abuse, or is afraid to, there are telltale signs you can look for. You may have to check for
signs of abuse, since round-the-clock care dictates that many seniors require almost constant supervision, and revealing abuse may force the senior to do so near staff members. Physical, emotional, and psychological abuse all leave signs you can look for, however. These include:
Physical Abuse
- Bedsores
- Stiff or frozen joints
- Unexplained injuries, such as cuts or bruises
- Broken bones or sprains
- Dislocated joints
- Sudden loss of weight
- Overly common use of physical restraint by staff
- Burns
- Broken eyeglasses
Emotional Abuse
- Personality suddenly becoming withdrawn
- Lack of communication
- Mood swings
- Dementia or odd behavior
- Depression or non-responsiveness
- Repetitive behavior, such as rocking or thumb sucking
- Anxiety
- Seclusion
Sexual Abuse
- Unexplained sexually transmitted disease
- Genital or anal bleeding
- Genital sores
- Bruising near sexual organs or on legs or torso
- Ripped underclothing
What to do in the event of elder care abuse
If you suspect abuse, or have witnessed abuse, get outside medical help for the victim as soon as you can. Collect information on the staff members or other individuals suspected of the abusive behavior, including names, ages, and if possible, addresses and phone numbers. Report this information to the administrator of the nursing home, and contact the local police as well as state agencies that oversee nursing homes. Abuse of the elderly is a criminal offense, but the victim and his or her family may be entitled to compensation through the civil court process. For this reason it is also important to contact a Oakland County nursing home abuse attorney.
Free Consultation by Oakland County Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
1-800-804-5431
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, contact a Oakland County nursing home abuse attorney to find out what your rights are in this situation. If you have sustained injury or trauma as a result of abuse or negligent behavior, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, physical and emotional trauma, and other costs. Contact a Oakland County nursing home abuse attorney today for a free consultation. Call for a confidential talk with an experienced and caring Oakland County elder abuse attorney who can give you sound advice on how to pursue your injury claim.
As your Oakland County elder care abuse lawyer, we provide Free telephone, home or hospital consultations. We provide evening and weekend appointments. We have offices throughout Oakland County for your convenience. We have successfully resolved thousands of cases in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Fresno and Bakersfield. .
