Choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility for your loved one is not easy. Although many older people wish to stay in their homes, a nursing home may be the best decision for their safety if they are unable to properly care for themselves. Unfortunately, our loved ones sometimes suffer from abuse and neglect from untrained, overworked, and frustrated caregivers, visitors, or other residents.
As a family member, you may not recognize that something is wrong, as the warning signs of nursing home abuse in Iberville Parish could be as subtle as an unexplained bruise, a missing wedding ring, or broken personal items, such as eyeglasses. Although these events can occur innocently, a pattern could indicate abuse. If you suspect your loved one is being victimized, our attorneys at Tomeny | Best could listen to you closely and determine a path forward during your free consultation.
What To Look for if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Nursing home abuse could be physical, psychological, or sexual and committed by a staff member, visitor, or another patient. When this happens, the care facility is often considered negligent for failing to be vigilant enough to keep a fragile patient safe. Family and friends should visit their loved ones regularly and look for warning signs, including:
- Unexplained bruises may mean the patient was handled roughly
- Broken bones from repeated falls could indicate the patient is left unattended too often
- Poor hygiene signals a lack of regular help with daily personal tasks
- A patient who appears frightened around a specific caregiver could have been yelled at or threatened
- Lethargy and lack of appetite could be caused by overmedication
- Dehydration or malnourishment are potential signs that food and water are being withheld
- Frequent crying, personality changes, and withdrawal could indicate psychological abuse
- Infected bedsores are a sign that an immobile patient is not being turned enough
Do not ignore the warning signs if your loved one frequently complains about poor treatment in a Plaquemine residential care facility. At Tomeny | Best, we prioritize families and advocate for any loved ones suffering from abusive treatment.
The Signs of Resident-On-Resident Aggression
Resident-on-resident aggression is the most common form of sexual abuse against women in care facilities, but could include any physical or verbal attack. Because dementia alters the brain, aggression generally involves these patients abusing other dementia patients, with many committing impulsive, harmful acts due to frustration and memory loss.
Under federal law, care facilities must keep residents safe from abuse by ensuring staff members are well-trained and adopting policies and procedures for combating and reporting abuse and resident aggression. Staffing levels and training are mandated under federal and state laws. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, nursing homes must provide at least 4.1 hours of direct nursing care daily for each patient and maintain staff-to-patient ratios commensurate with patients’ conditions.
In addition to other warning signs, patient-on-patient sexual aggression could cause a victim to become extremely agitated and fearful of being alone while entertaining thoughts of suicide and exhibiting symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Tomeny | Best attorneys encourage you or other family members to call immediately to arrange a free consultation if you observe any warning signs of resident-on-resident nursing home abuse in Iberville Parish.
Heed the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and Call Our Plaquemine Attorneys for Legal Help
Nursing homes that do not train staff properly, provide substandard care, or allow resident-on-resident abuse are negligent. If your loved one is harmed while living in one, our attorneys could dedicate their skills and compassion toward righting these wrongs.
We could seek special and general damages awards from at-fault parties. Call us today for a complimentary consultation to discuss your situation after observing any warning signs of nursing home abuse in Iberville Parish.
