Visiting a loved one in a nursing home can be heart-warming. However, your mood suddenly shifts after noticing changes in their behavior compared to your last visit. This change can be a sign of neglect or abuse at their facility. Keep an eye on these common signs.
The common physical indicators
Have you ever encountered unexplained injuries? Bruises, cuts and burns suddenly appear in clusters on tender areas of your loved one’s body. These may indicate abuse, especially when the nurses cannot explain how the injuries occurred.
Be wary of mobility issues that were not present during your last visit. Your loved one may have fallen from their bed due to a lack of supervision.
The hidden signs of abuse
Not all signs of abuse manifest physically. Some may appear in behavioral changes, such as:
- Your family member flinches after hearing the name of a specific staff member.
- Your family member stopped participating in activities they previously loved.
- Your family member exhibits signs of depression or emotional outbursts.
- Your family member apologizes for minor mistakes.
When trust is broken, a resident’s body language often reveals what they are too afraid to say out loud.
Protecting your loved one’s rights
If you think that your loved one is a victim of abuse at the nursing home, understand that the law is on their side. The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act protects nursing home residents from abuse and neglect, including physical or mental injury.
Now that you have identified signs of abuse, your next step is to document all instances. Seeking legal counsel would be wise to gain guidance on filing a claim against the facility.