Nursing home abuse and neglect can be difficult to detect, but it is surprisingly commonplace. A survey by the National Center on Elder Abuse made the following shocking findings:
Unfortunately, the true extent of nursing home abuse is very hard to quantify. There are numerous laws in place designed to protect nursing home residents and establish their rights to be free from abuse and neglect.
While some cases of nursing home abuse can be easily detected, many times is it difficult to tell whether abuse or neglect has occurred. If an elderly loved one is a nursing home resident, there are several signs you can look for to determine if possible abuse or neglect is taking place. Some signs include:
There are several different reasons that nursing home abuse and neglect occur. Nursing homes are often understaffed and unable to properly care for all of their patients. The staff may also be unqualified to provide adequate care to patients. Finally, failure to administer medications or other treatments to patients in the proper manner can result in serious harm.
If you suspect that an elderly loved one has been neglected or abused while in a nursing home, contact an attorney with experience in handling these types of cases. Nursing homes must comply with certain laws and regulations to keep patients safe, and if your loved one has suffered harm, an attorney can help determine if these laws were properly followed.
Webb Law Centre has 25 years of experience assisting clients in West Virginia. Attorney Rusty Webb offers a no-risk consultation to talk about your case and help you determine what rights you have. Contact Webb Law Centre today to receive your consultation.