Lawyers for elderly and nursing home abuse
A nursing home is a place where the elderly reside for one reason or another. The children or family members of the elderly person might have personal issues or lack the appropriate knowledge to care for their loved one and their condition. They might have to go to work or simply cannot deal with it. The elderly care facility must provide each of its residents with a reasonable standard of care Regardless of the reason for them being admitted into the nursing home.
Sadly, with so many elderly people being admitted to nursing homes, the care that is being given is less than acceptable. Nursing homes try to increase their profits by limiting the number of employees and procedures that they require. The elderly are the ones who suffer the consequences of this selfishness, while the owners of these nursing homes are rewarded. Those over the age of 65 are expected to increase in population with the years to come. With this increase, one could expect more nursing home abuse and negligence.
Contacting an Orlando nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as suspicions of abuse are present is the best move to take, even though spotting abuse can sometimes prove difficult. The lawyers will help their client investigate and determine whether nursing abuse is taking place and whether a lawsuit can be filed. The best thing to do once is has been determined that abuse is taking place, is to remove the elderly person from that terrible situation.
Different Forms of Nursing Abuse
Physical abuse is not the only abuse that exists. A resident of a nursing home can experience different types of nursing home abuse. Those abuses include:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
What Are Some Signs that Rest Home Abuse/Neglect is Taking Place?
There are many signs that a loved one can notice that can mean that their loved one is being neglected or abused. Sometimes it may be difficult because a loved one might be suffering from a certain illness that limits their capabilities of communicating like Alzheimer’s or dementia. Additionally, an elderly person can have a bruise or an injury and not have been abused. This is why once abuse or neglect is suspected, the loved one should investigate further. Some of those signs include:
The appearance of injuries that cannot be explained: If an elderly person suddenly is injured with no trace as to how it happened, suspicion may rise. A fracture, scratches, or bruises can indicate signs of abuse, especially if the elderly person cannot speak up for themselves. Another issue is if the elderly is at risk of falling and the nursing home staff does not provide adequate supervision for these patients. A fall can be the cause for injuries along with physical abuse.
The appearance of infections that cannot be explained: Nursing homes must be properly be sanitized, just like a hospital. When a person contracts an infection in a hospital, the hospital will be liable for that infection because it should not have happened. The same applies to nursing homes. Additional harm than the condition they already have should not be occurring. Infections and recurring infections can be a sign of neglect.
Anxiety or fear being expressed by the elderly person: If the loved one of the elderly person notices a change in the character of their parent or loved one, they should communicate with them to see what is going on. Anxiety and fear usually represent that something is going on. They have to investigate whether it could be the side effects of a certain medication or that someone within the assisted living facility is abusing them.
Malnutrition or dehydration: No resident of a nursing home should be malnourished or dehydrated. This is definitely a form of neglect. The nursing home staff must make sure that all of their residents are properly fed and kept hydrated.
A lack of proper hygiene: A resident should not be dirty. The staff in a nursing home must keep all their residents clean. Some residents might have problems with their bladder and can have some accidents. These patients need to be kept an eye on and should be regularly cleaned. If a loved one comes and notices a lack of hygiene or is able to smell it, then something is wrong.
Pressure/bed sores: This is something that occurs to people who have limited mobility and must stay in bed. Nursing homes will have people with different medical conditions. Some of those conditions might require them to rest in bed or be stuck in bed. Regardless of the reason, the staff must move these patients on a regular basis. If they fail to do this, they can be found liable for abuse and neglect.
If an explanation cannot be given for any of these damages, the loved one should seek the help of a professional nursing home abuse lawyer in Orlando. When the nursing home is defensive and tries to evade answering any questions, that might be a sign that they are responsible for the abuse and neglect.
Gathered Data on Nursing Home Abuse
According to the National Council on Aging, these following statistics demonstrate how elderly people are abused:
- People over the age of 60 experience abuse in about one in ten
- An elderly who has been abused is more prone to die by 300%
- The most common type of elder abuse is psychological
- 44% of elderly in nursing homes have been abused
- 95% of elderly in nursing homes have been neglected or have seen another person be neglected
Orlando Nursing Homes
Below will be some convalescent homes in Orlando, FL:
- Aerus Electrolux
- Avante At Orlando
- Solaris HealthCare Windermere
- Guardian Care Nursing & Rehabilitation
- Conway Lakes Health Rehabilitation Center
- Orlando Lutheran Towers
- Metro West Nursing & Rehab
- Westminster Towers
- Adventist Care Centers- Courtland
- Terra Vista Rehabilitation & Health Center
- Life Care Center of Orlando
- Courtyards Care Center
- Parks Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
- Palm Garden of Orlando
- Orlando Health & Rehabilitation Center
Seeking Justice for the Elderly in Orlando
Nursing home abuse and neglect are occurring on a greater scale. There is an increase of elderly people being admitted to nursing homes, and that number is only expected to increase. Nursing homes require providing a safe, clean, and positive environment to all of their residents. Legal action needs to immediately be taken once abuse or neglects has been committed by the nursing staff or nursing home in order to remove the elderly person from that terrible situation and avoid further harm. With the assistance of an Orlando abuse assisted living lawyer, proving that abuse or negligence took place will become much easier. Get help today.