Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
How do you know when the nursing home your loved ones are in has become a prison?
It’s heartbreaking to think of our parents or grandparents being in a position of being abused and neglected by those who are supposed to be caring for them. We want to think that their needs are being attended to, and most of the time, they are. But the statistics and cases of nursing home abuse and neglect can be staggering, and only a fraction of abuse and neglect cases are ever reported.It can even get to the shocking point of physical abuse, assault, and rape.
Physical abuse often results in injuries that are somewhat obvious… bruises, scrapes, broken bones, etc. Personality changes can indicate a problem as well. Do they seem afraid? Has the otherwise talkative and outgoing loved one now become quiet and withdrawn?
Neglect may be harder to see. Bed sores are often a good indication that their needs are not being attended to. Does the bed appear dirty? Are their hair and fingernails clean? Is there odor in the bed, on their clothes, or on them as though they haven’t been bathed? Have they lost weight as though they are not being fed properly?
Often the victims of nursing home abuse or neglect are too scared or incapacitated to report the incidents, so the horror continues with very little indication.Any change in personality, physical condition or appearance, or habits should be looked into aggressively. Observe how they respond to their caretakers when they are in the room. Are they startled, or appear scared at the presence of a certain nurse or orderly? If possible, watch from a distance how they treat your loved one. Sometimes it’s nothing more than a look in their eyes that there is something wrong.
If you suspect that there is a problem, speak with the nursing home administrator immediately and voice your concerns. It may be a single employee with a lack of adequate training in doing their job, or a lack of concern in it. If you suspect the problem goes beyond that level, contact authorities outside of the home, which may include police, depending on the nature of the issues.
We at the David Francis Law Firm know how to handle nursing home abuse and neglect. Contact us immediately to find out your rights, and the rights of your loved ones before the problem gets worse. Having them removed from the home immediately may be the first course of action.
