Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
It’s one of the most difficult situations for any family: you’ve placed a loved one in a nursing home in Hollywood or another South Florida community and now you have suspicions that nursing home abuse or neglect is taking place. In many cases, families second-guess their instincts and wonder whether abuse really is taking place.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to tell when something is wrong. Residents of nursing homes may have cognitive impairment, dementia or other conditions which make it difficult for them to communicate their concerns fully. Nursing homes may easily dismiss accusations as confusion, poor communication, or other issues related to a diagnosis of dementia or another condition. In addition, nursing home residents are often fearful about speaking up against their abusers. They may fear repercussions or may feel ashamed by what is going on.
The first way to determine whether nursing home abuse is taking place is to stop by often. Keep lines of communication with your elderly loved one open and make sure that not just you but multiple members of your family and even friends drop by the nursing home regularly. If many of you see signs that are worrying, that warns an investigation. Above all, don’t neglect your instincts. If you feel that something is not right, it’s time to speak up and to find out more.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Hollywood and Other Communities
Unfortunately, in some cases abuse and neglect leave few signs. Emotional abuse, for example, may leave no physical cues. However, there are certain signs which can point to the fact that something is wrong in the nursing home:
- Bruises
- Unexplained injuries
- Sudden loss of weight
- Decreased mobility
- Decreased cognitive awareness
- Fractures
- Poor grooming
- Listlessness
- Fear behaviors
While none of these signs guarantee that something is amiss, they do call for an investigation. If possible, talk to your elderly loved one’s doctor and speak to the nursing home. Find out more. Another option is to speak to a private investigator or a nursing home attorney in Hollywood or your community. Attorneys have extensive experience in fighting back against nursing home abuse and they usually have networks of professional investigators who can help you find out the truth.
If you are in South Florida and suspect nursing home abuse or if you are an elderly resident of a nursing home and you are suffering abuse, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Hollywood nursing home abuse attorney. Your consultation lets you find out what your legal options are and gives you practical not steps to help offer you peace of mind.