Seven signs of nursing home abuse and when to call an attorney
Recognize the warning signs of abuse if your loved one is being mistreated in a nursing home. Research shows that nearly 1 in 6 nursing home residents in Los Angeles County, where California has the largest number of long-term care facilities, experience some form of abuse or neglect. Worse, for every case reported to authorities, an estimated 24 go unreported because of cognitive decline or fear of retaliation.
If you suspect abuse, a nursing home abuse attorney in Los Angeles can act quickly to protect your loved one’s well-being and to seek justice from the nursing home responsible. Early recognition of signs is critical, as delays allow facilities to change records or overwrite surveillance footage. 7 warning signs that every family should be aware of.
1. Fractures or falls without reason
Broken bones, sprained wrists, or bruising to the face, which staff said was a “slip”, were the main signs of neglect. California health codes require facilities to do fall-risk assessments and to offer direct assistance to residents who need help moving. With staffing cuts, residents are left unmonitored and often fall trying to get out of bed or reach the restroom on their own.
2. Severe bedsores
Stage 3 and Stage 4 pressure ulcers are entirely preventable and are a sign of neglect. When bedbound residents are not turned at least every two hours, deep, open wounds develop on pressure points such as the heels, hips, and lower back. An advanced bedsore means staff left basic care protocols for days.
3. Fast weight loss and dehydration
Hollow cheeks, baggy clothing, cracked lips, and severe confusion from lack of fluids all point to a neglect of diet. According to the National Institute on Aging, bedsores and unsanitary living conditions are known warning signs of elder neglect, and they are preventable health problems. Understaffed facilities often place food trays in front of residents with dementia who can’t feed themselves and remove untouched trays without offering any help.
4. Sudden withdrawal or extreme changes in demeanor
Abuse is not necessarily physical abuse. Psychological abuse could be happening if a resident who has previously spoken now becomes unable to speak, rocks back and forth, or shows fear when a specific individual enters the room. In understaffed facilities, verbal threats and emotional degradation of staff are commonplace because they are frustrated.
5. Mysterious drowsiness
If your loved one suddenly becomes lethargic or unresponsive or sleeps all the time, even if their medical condition has not changed, it may be a result of chemical restraint. Some facilities improperly use antipsychotic or sedative medications without proper prescriptions to keep residents quiet and manageable, a serious violation of California Health and Safety Codes.
6. Inadequate hygiene and unsecure situations
Soiled clothing not changed when residents are left sitting, unwashed hair, strong odors of urine in the hallways, and cluttered and slippery floors are all indications of a breakdown in basic standards of care. These conditions mean residents are exposed to dangerous infections like C. diff or MRSA.
7. Financial differences
Financial abuse is the most rapidly increasing type of elder abuse in Los Angeles. Red flags include missing personal items, big bank withdrawals, and radical changes to a will or power of attorney. Access to a resident’s room without supervision can be a chance for caregivers to exploit residents’ finances with undue influence or direct theft.
When to call a lawyer
If you notice any of these signs and the facility gives you vague, conflicting, or dismissive explanations, call an elder abuse lawyer immediately. Don’t wait for state agencies like Adult Protective Services or the California Department of Public Health to investigate, since regulatory backlogs can take months.
In California, the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act permits the court to award significant damages for pain and suffering if an attorney can demonstrate recklessness, malice, or oppression, which also circumvents the usual malpractice limits and requires the facility to pay all attorney fees. This is why your lawyer will subpoena internal staffing logs, medication-dispensing records, and surveillance footage ASAP to get the case built before evidence is tampered with.
Conclusion
Nursing home abuse is rarely self-announcing. The signs are often subtle, and the facilities are practiced at explaining them away. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and move quickly. A seasoned elder abuse lawyer can step in to protect your loved one and hold the guilty parties responsible.
