Questions to Ask Your Loved One if You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse
According to the National Council On Aging, one out of every ten seniors in the United States will suffer from some form of abuse. Much of this abuse occurs in nursing homes, a place where elderly individuals are quite vulnerable. The sadder truth is that the number is likely much higher, as millions of cases are unreported. Nursing home residents are fearful to report abuse and neglect due to retaliation. Other times, nursing home residents are not aware the abuse is occurring, or they feel ashamed to admit it.
For the above reasons, it is difficult to determine if they are being abused or neglected. Below are some questions you can ask your family member to determine the level of care they are, or are not, receiving.
Is a Staff Member Restricting Your Routine?
It is a worrying sign if any staff member in a nursing home is restricting your family member’s daily routine. For example, if your loved one says a staff member is withholding water, food, hearing aids, medication, or medical attention, this is a sign of abuse. Isolating residents from family, friends, and other residents is also a sign of abuse. If your loved one says anyone is restricting their daily routine, it is critical to identify the responsible staff member as soon as possible.
Do You Feel Threatened by Staff Members?
Verbal abuse, such as making threats, is very damaging to the emotional well-being of nursing home residents. Verbal abuse can result in stress, fear, anxiety, and depression. Staff members may threaten to prevent a resident from contacting family members, other staff in the facility, or law enforcement. This can make residents feel hopeless and they may not receive the help they need, particularly if they are suffering from conditions such as dementia.
Has Any Staff Member Asked You for Money?
According to the National Adult Protective Services Association, 1 in 20 seniors experience some type of financial abuse. Even more concerning is that only 1 in 44 cases is reported. It is important to know if a staff member has pressured your loved one into giving them money, or signing unknown documents. This type of financial exploitation can make it difficult for your loved one to cover even their basic cost of living.
When nursing home residents suffer from cognitive impairment, they are even more vulnerable to becoming a victim of financial abuse. Financial abuse is one of the most difficult types to spot. It is important to check on your loved one’s financial accounts to ensure money is not being withdrawn and that there are no unusual financial transactions.
Our Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Tampa Can Determine Liability
At Kohn Law, our Tampa nursing home abuse attorney can determine if your loved one is being mistreated and hold the accountable party liable so your family member can receive any damages they may be entitled to. Call us today at 813-428-8504 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney.
Source:
ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse/
