Nursing home abuse is unfortunately common enough that if your loved one is a resident or patient in a long-term care facility, you need to be able to spot signs of nursing home abuse when you pay a visit. Here’s a quick guide that can help you know how to identify potential abuse and what to do if you believe your family member may be a victim.
Be Aware of Common Abuse and Neglect Indicators
One of the most important things you can do to protect a loved one in long-term care is to become familiar with cases of neglect and abuse and the similarities between them. Things like unexpected bruises, ligature marks around their wrists or ankles, overmedication, rarely have a viable explanation and are a clear sign that something is wrong with the care your family member is receiving.
Don’t Just Look For Outright Signs of Abuse
While it’s helpful to have a good understanding of how nursing home abuse often presents, this doesn’t mean that blatant signs of abuse or neglect are the only things you need to look for. There are several indicators that are more subtle, but can still paint a clear picture of what’s happening. For example, this can include:
- Dirty clothing
- Inappropriate clothing for the weather
- Uncombed hair
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Bed sores
- Frequent infections
- Dry skin or cracked lips
- Unexplained weight loss
- Mood swings
- Social withdrawal
- Fear of staff members
- Loss of interest in activities
- Missed doctor’s appointments
Ask Questions, But Don’t Pressure Your Loved One
Depending on your family member’s state of mind, you may or may not be able to ask them questions about any abuse they may have experienced. If you do ask about what happened, try not to be invasive or insist that they give you an answer.
Even if they seem eager to talk about it at first, they may get upset or become disinterested partway through the conversation. Letting your loved one talk about it in their own time can help prevent additional distress and agitation.
Gauge the Reactions of Facility Staff Members
When visiting your family member, try to notice the disposition of staff members. Watch how they treat your loved one and make a mental note if they seem overly attentive or artificially sweet while you’re there. Take a look at how staff members treat each other and whether other patients seem to be comfortable or afraid when certain staff is around.
Use Context Clues to Get Information
Perpetrators of nursing home neglect and abuse are rarely upfront about their activities, leaving families to connect the dots. This is especially true for patients with limited communication. However, context clues can reveal valuable information, so you may want to keep an eye out for:
- Patients being left in the hallway
- Inconsistent medication times
- Residents who appear excessively drowsy
- Long wait times for patients who press the call light
- Strong odors of sweat, urine, or feces
- Equipment that is broken or in disrepair
- Caregivers who seem nervous or avoid talking to you
- Visiting hours and locations that are severely restricted
- Cruel or inappropriate comments made by staff toward residents
Gather What Evidence You Can
Since neglect and abuse typically happen behind closed doors, there may not be a lot of evidence to prove that your loved one was hurt. When it comes to recording nursing home staff, both Massachusetts and New Hampshire are two-party consent states and you must have the permission of the person you are recording.
Here are some types of evidence you may be able to use to support your claim instead:
- Medical records that document injuries that could not have come from anything other than abuse
- Statements from witnesses that saw instances of abuse
- Expert testimony that the nursing home has failed to adhere to basic standards of care
- Emails, letters, and other communication with the nursing home
- Photographs of injuries, poor living conditions, and other signs of neglect or violence
Get Support From a Qualified Massachusetts Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
If you’ve recently visited a loved one in a nursing home and suspect they may be the victim of abuse or neglect, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we can help you report the alleged abuse to the right authorities and pursue justice for your family. Call today by dialing (978) 744-8000, or contact us toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
