In the Los Angeles area and throughout California, multitudes rely on nursing home facilities to care for their elderly loved ones. And eventually, many regret that decision. Many of these precious elderly family members wind up as victims of abuse or outright mistreatment in a nursing home. Insufficient staff training and understaffing are historically the root causes of most nursing home abuse.
It’s sad to report that abuse and neglect in these nursing care facilities is on the rise; in fact, you may have seen or read about cases that are literal nightmares. While most nursing homes remain manned and managed by qualified personnel, other facilities are simply, upon investigation, unacceptable.
The National Center on Elder Abuse is reporting that 36% of the nursing homes in the United States have been cited at least once for abusing the elderly residents in their care. Of course, nursing homes are commercial enterprises with the right and responsibility to earn profits, but it’s never right for earnings to be placed above the well-being and safety of nursing home residents.
In Southern California, the most frequent abuse in nursing facilities includes:
- Medical malpractice, neglect, and the ensuing medical complications
- Bed sores and ulcers from failure to tend to those who are bedridden
- Lack of monitoring of residents (resulting in falls or other incidents)
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Emotional and physical abuse
If you have a loved one in a nursing home in southern California, look for these indications of abuse: bruises, bed sores, cuts, ulcers, unforeseen attitude or temper changes (like withdrawal or depression), thirst, hunger, or an unexpected emergency, coma, or sudden death. Emotional and physical abuse includes any assault, sexual abuse, or unwarranted restraint; worn-out, low-paid personnel at these facilities have sometimes vented their frustrations on their residents, who are for all practical purposes unwilling captives.
How to Protect Elderly Loved Ones and Take Action Quickly
Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that can take many forms, including physical harm, emotional mistreatment, neglect, or financial exploitation. If you notice signs that your elderly loved one may be suffering abuse or neglect, it is important to act quickly.
Warning signs may include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior, poor hygiene, dehydration, malnutrition, or unusual financial activity. These indicators should never be ignored.
If you suspect nursing home abuse, an experienced personal injury attorney can help investigate the situation, gather evidence, and work with medical and other professionals to determine what is happening. Legal action may help protect your loved one and hold responsible parties accountable.
If you believe a family member is being mistreated in a nursing home, contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to take steps toward protecting their safety and rights.