Nursing home abuse and neglect can take many forms. Although federal and state laws generally require that nursing homes develop a responsible plan of care and employ enough staff to provide quality care in all areas of the care plan, they often fall short. As a result, residents are not taken care of the way they should be.
Mental / emotional abuse: depression, withdrawal, behavioral change, disorientation, confusion.
Physical abuse: such as wounds, burns, bruises, welts, broken bones, inexplicable weight loss, dehydration, unexplained injuries.
Financial abuse: stolen money or property.
Most states define neglect in a nursing home setting as the failure to provide residents with services that are essential to health and safety, such as sufficient food, shelter, clothing, supervision, and medical care. Any of the following types of abuse and neglect might result in a lawsuit:
If you see these or any other conditions that you feel raise a red flag, it is important to look into it right away. Speak to the nursing home administration about your concerns and/or an attorney who deals with nursing home cases.