How to Identify Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
When you entrust your loved one to a nursing home, it's natural to expect them to be provided with exceptional care. However, this doesn't always happen, and there are cases where your loved one could experience abuse or neglect, despite California's robust elder abuse laws. In these cases, it's essential to understand the signs of nursing home abuse to keep your loved ones safe.
At the Law Offices of Steven Zwick, located in Orange County, California, we are dedicated to safeguarding our clients and their loved ones from harm. We are experienced in handling nursing home abuse cases and helping our clients secure the safety and dignity of their loved ones. Recognizing the signs of nursing home abuse is the first step toward stopping it.
Understanding Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing home abuse encompasses a wide range of actions, including physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. California has some of the most protective laws for elder care in the United States, including the California Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (EADACPA).
The EADACPA provides powerful remedies for victims of elder abuse. Under this law, victims and their families may be entitled to recover damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and increased costs associated with abuse or neglect. Additionally, nursing home facilities can face punitive damages or even criminal penalties if abuse is proven.
Abuse can come in many forms. Sometimes, the signs of abuse are blatantly obvious; however, other times, the warning signs may be alarmingly subtle. Being familiar with the various ways abuse can occur in a nursing home will help you identify potential risks before they cause harm or distress to your loved one.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
When entrusting a loved one to a nursing home, it’s natural to hope for the best. However, staying proactive about their care is essential to protect their well-being. In California, common signs of nursing home abuse, grouped by type, include the following.
Physical Abuse
Physical harm is often the most visible form of abuse in a nursing home. As described under California law, the signs of physical abuse can include:
Unexplained injuries such as bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones.
Frequent hospital visits or ER trips, especially when the explanations by nursing home staff are unclear or inconsistent.
Signs of restraint, such as marks around the wrists or ankles, indicating that possible restraints were used, which is illegal under California's strict elder protection laws.
Sudden changes in mobility, such as your loved one developing declining motor skills or unusual stiffness, which may indicate physical mistreatment.
Emotional or Psychological Abuse
The emotional well-being of nursing home residents is just as important as their physical safety. However, emotional abuse can oftentimes be harder to detect. Some signs to watch for to identify potential emotional or psychological abuse include:
Changes in personality, such as your loved one becoming withdrawn, fearful, or unusually anxious.
Sudden outbursts or increasing fearfulness of particular staff members.
Lack of communication, as some residents may feel intimidated by nursing home staff or threatened into silence.
Neglect
Neglect is one of the leading forms of nursing home abuse and often involves staff failing to fulfill the basic needs of the resident. Some of the most common signs of neglect in nursing homes include the following.
Poor hygiene, such as unwashed clothing, unbrushed teeth, or ungroomed hair.
Bedsores or pressure ulcers, especially when your loved one is left untreated.
Signs of malnutrition or dehydration, such as weight loss, dry skin, or cracked lips.
Unsanitary living conditions, such as soiled bedding, pest infestations, or a foul smell in the rooms or hallways.
Financial Exploitation
Financial exploitation often goes unnoticed until the damage has already been done. California recognizes financial exploitation as a serious issue and provides legal protection against such exploitation. The common warning signs can include:
Unexplained withdrawals from your loved one's accounts or sudden financial activity.
Missing personal items, including jewelry or sentimental belongings.
Alterations to legal documents such as alterations to your loved one's power of attorney or will without prior discussion or consent.
Strange transactions, such as unexplained payments to nursing home staff members or frequent use of credit cards in unrecognized locations.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is one of the most heartbreaking forms of nursing home abuse. It's essential to be vigilant when visiting with your loved ones to spot any of the following warning signs.
Bruising or injuries near the genital area.
Sudden discomfort or fear during physical interactions, such as bathing, changing clothes, or being helped into bed.
Sexually transmitted infections, which are significant red flags.
What to Do If You Suspect Abuse
If you suspect your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, it’s critical to act quickly. California law has strict regulations to protect you and your family in such situations. Once you suspect abuse, it's imperative to take the following steps as soon as possible.
Document everything: Take detailed notes of any signs of abuse, including dates, descriptions, and photographs of your loved one's physical injuries or unsafe conditions. Documentation is critical when filing a complaint or legal claim.
Report your concerns: California law requires healthcare facilities to report known or suspected abuse. You can also report concerns to the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman in Orange County or contact Adult Protective Services (APS) at the state level. For urgent cases, contact law enforcement immediately.
Remove your loved one from danger: If you believe your loved one is at immediate risk, relocate them to a safer facility as quickly and safely as possible.
Contact an attorney: Nursing home abuse cases are complicated. However, working with an experienced attorney can help make sure that justice is served. At the Law Offices of Steven Zwick, we are skilled in handling nursing home abuse cases and are committed to holding negligent facilities accountable under California law.
Seeking justice in abuse cases also serves to protect other vulnerable residents and reform practices at negligent facilities. Filing a claim is not just about compensation; it’s about accountability and making sure no one else experiences what your loved one has endured.
Contact a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you notice any signs of abuse or have concerns about a loved one’s care within a nursing home, it's essential to reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Steven Zwick, we understand how heartbreaking it can be to discover signs of nursing home abuse.
No one deserves to suffer in silence. Our team will tirelessly advocate for the justice your family deserves to hold negligent parties accountable under California law. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
We proudly serve residents of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, and Yorba Linda.