Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
Elderly people are often frail and cannot defend themselves against neglect, financial exploitation and abuse. In some cases, their claims of being mistreated may be dismissed as dementia. The following explains signs you should look for and when you should contact a Florida nursing home abuse attorney.
Evidence of Abuse
When an elderly person is being abused, there are often changes in personality along with tension between the individual and those who are caring for them. You should be alert to these signs:
• Physical Abuse. This includes bruising, sprains and broken bones. The senior may also stop taking required medications, and the caregiver may not let you be alone with the person.
• Emotional Abuse. The senior exhibits dementia-like behaviors, including rocking, thumb sucking and mumbling to themselves. If you see any threatening behavior from the caregiver toward the elderly person, you must report nursing home abuse to the state immediately.
• Sexual Abuse. This will present with torn undergarments, vaginal or anal bleeding, breast and genital bruising and STDs.
• Caregiver Neglect. You will see the elderly person dressed improperly, suffering from bedsores, unbathed and living in unsafe conditions. The senior may also be underfed and dehydrated or left to fend for themselves in a public place.
• Financial Exploitation and Fraud. The elderly person has money stolen directly from their bank accounts and through changes in their will. Another form of fraud is poor care despite services being paid in full. Hiring a Florida nursing home abuse lawyer will help you to recover what rightfully belongs to the elderly person and bring those responsible to justice.
Senior citizens are a vulnerable sector of the population and are often targets for abuse by inadequately screened caregivers and poorly run facilities. An experienced Florida nursing home abuse attorney protects elderly rights and helps them to recoup their losses.