Individuals who reside in nursing homes are often socially isolated from their family members and friends. Consequently, if nursing home abuse or neglect is occurring, it is not always evident right away. However, there are some signs and symptoms for which you should be on the lookout.
One common sign of nursing home neglect is resident mood swings, especially when the resident never exhibited such mood swings in the past. When a staff member abuses a nursing home resident, the resident is more likely to become socially withdrawn and less talkative and interactive with others.
Unpleasant odors around the nursing home resident are another common sign of nursing home neglect. These unpleasant odors can be the result of infrequent bathing or lack of cleanliness in the resident’s room. Moreover, nursing home residents suffering from abuse or neglect can become ill more frequently than other residents, resulting from the patient not receiving the proper medication or receiving an improper medication dosage.
Victims of nursing home abuse or neglect can also have bruises and other marks on their bodies. These other marks can include lacerations, abrasions, and cuts. In the worst possible scenario, these marks indicate the nursing home resident is a victim of physical or sexual abuse at the hands of a nursing home staff member or another resident.
Finally, a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect can develop one or more bedsores. These sores, which are also sometimes referred to as pressure ulcers, typically appear when staff fails to regularly bathe or turn a patient. These sores are especially prevalent among nursing home residents confined to a wheelchair or bed for a significant time.
If you are visiting your loved one at a nursing home and you happen to notice one or more of these symptoms, speak with an experienced Lawrenceville nursing home negligence lawyer at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC as soon as possible. Our team of attorneys can investigate the circumstance and take legal action on your loved one’s behalf against the nursing home or a nursing home staff member.
