Nursing home abuse in Lexington
When a loved one is put in a nursing home, we expect they will be treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately though, this isn’t always the case.
If you suspect your loved one is a victim of abuse in their nursing home, it’s important to take action. Nursing home abuse is a serious problem that can have devastating consequences for the victims. Unfortunately, it is all too common, with an estimated one in three nursing home residents suffering from some form of abuse.
If you think your loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse, it is important to know what to look for and how to get help. A Lexington nursing home abuse lawyer can provide the guidance you need to protect your loved one’s rights and seek justice.
What Is nursing home abuse?
There are many different types of nursing home abuse, all of which can cause physical and emotional harm to the victim.
Nursing home abuse is any form of mistreatment of a nursing home resident that causes harm or injury. It can take many different forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is the most visible form of nursing home abuse, and it can include anything from slapping and hitting to restraining a resident in a dangerous way.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse, sometimes called psychological abuse, can be just as harmful as physical abuse. It can involve verbal assaults, threats, and other forms of mental manipulation.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is any form of sexual contact or intercourse that takes place without the victim’s consent. It can happen to both men and women of any age and is a serious crime.
Financial abuse
Financial abuse is when someone illegally or improperly uses a nursing home resident’s money or property. This can include anything from stealing cash to using a credit card without permission.
Neglect
Neglect is when a nursing home staff member fails to provide the basic care that a resident needs. This can include failing to provide enough food or water, not providing proper medical care, or not helping a resident with basic activities of daily living like bathing and using the bathroom.
Signs of nursing home abuse
Nursing home abuse can be difficult to detect, as many residents are unable or unwilling to speak up about what is happening to them. However, there are some signs that may indicate that a resident is being abused.
These include:
- Bruises, cuts, or other injuries that cannot be explained
- Sudden changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn or agitated
- Unexplained fear or anxiety around certain staff members
- Sexualized behavior or comments
- Financial irregularities, such as unexpected withdrawals from bank accounts
How to get help
If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, it is important to take action to protect their rights and safety. The first step is to contact a nursing home abuse lawyer.
An experienced attorney can help you investigate the situation and take the necessary steps to stop the abuse and hold the responsible parties accountable. Contacting a lawyer is the best way to ensure that your loved one gets the justice they deserve.
Once you have spoken to a lawyer, you should also contact the police if you believe that a crime has been committed. You should also make a report to the nursing home administrator and the Department of Health.
Taking action to stop nursing home abuse is essential to protecting the rights and safety of residents. If you suspect that your loved one is being abused, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer today.
Who else can help?
The Elder Justice Roadmap is a project of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. The goal of the project is to help advocates, consumers, family members, and professionals make informed choices about long-term care.
The roadmap provides information on a variety of topics related to elder justice, including:
- How to recognize and respond to abuse, exploitation, and neglect
- The rights of long-term care consumers
- How to file a complaint about a long-term care facility
- How to find long-term care services
It’s important to know that there are people who can help if you think your loved one is being abused in a nursing home.
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused, neglected, or exploited, don’t hesitate to call for help.
There are many agencies and organizations that can offer assistance, including:
- The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
- The Eldercare Locator
- The Administration on Aging’s National Center on Elder Abuse
- Your state’s long-term care ombudsman program
Reporting abuse is vital to protecting the rights and safety of nursing home residents. If you suspect abuse, don’t hesitate to call for help.
