The population of the United States is collectively getting older, and with that reality comes the result that nursing home and elder care facilities will continue to be further stretched to the limit in terms of their infrastructure and resources. Regardless of those unfortunate trends, however, there is still no excuse for any sort of nursing home neglect or abuse. Nursing home neglect and abuse are also becoming more and more of a problem, and many people have sought the help of Oklahoma nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers to protect the rights of those they love. Below are some warning signs to be mindful of if you have a loved one living in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and/or Neglect
As this issue continues to grow in prevalence, there are more groups and associations releasing lists of warning signs for people to internalize in regards to their loved ones who are in the care of these facilities. Below are a few examples of these warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect:
- Physical trauma - The most obvious sign of abuse and neglect is the presence of physical harm that cannot be explained. If your loved one has bruises, cuts, swelling or soreness in any area of his or her body that he or she either cannot or will not explain, this could be a sign of a serious problem.
- Bed sores - Bed sores are a sign of neglect, as they generally only appear when a person has not been properly moved or shifted from one position for a long period of time.
- Sudden changes in demeanor - While some people will display a change in their demeanor or personality as they age, a sudden and sharp turn away from the person everyone knew could be indicative of a larger issue.
- Lack of access to the resident - Staff members at the facility should always be willing to allow visitors during normal hours, and a refusal to do so should lead to serious and direct questions from family members.
- Missing possessions - Residents in these sorts of facilities generally do not leave the area on their own, which means that if personal belongings, especially those with value, turn up missing, family members should be on alert.
- Changes in financial circumstances - If family members notice large withdrawals from bank accounts or other records of transactions that do not make sense, additional investigation is necessary.
Clearly, there is no such thing as an exhaustive list of warning signs for nursing home abuse or neglect. Basically, if you see things that do not seem right, you should trust your instincts and seek immediate help from the Oklahoma nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at Atkins & Markoff as soon as possible. If this is an issue that could be affecting someone you love, contact the firm immedaitely to schedule an initial consultation.
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