Nursing homes were never painted as the picture-perfect end to a long-life. In fact, the running joke is that you get put in a nursing home when your kids won’t care for you. That typically not the case. Most of our elderly need medical support and around-the-clock care that they just couldn’t get in our own homes.

Because we understand that our elderly need that level of care, we expect the people working there to know that too. We expect compassionate, and caring individuals to be present. Unfortunately, with the high-volume of nurses, maintenance staff, doctors, and administrative personnel, that’s usually not the case.

Nursing Homes Around the Country

Long-term resident care facilities or nursing homes are among the most commonplace for elder abuse. Yes, elder abuse does happen in homes, but often, it’s in medical facilities. These elderly people require more care, more support, and when they’re surrounded by people with similar needs.

Around the country, there are over 15,000 nursing homes, and collectively they have over 1 million U.S. residents. That’s an astounding number, and often the people working in these facilities have worked there for years. It’s no wonder that some employees get lax or even malicious.

Cases of Abuse and Red Flags

Cases of abuse don’t always include outright vicious behavior. One study on elder abuse in the United States found that aggressiveness, yelling, threats, and pulling too hard were abuse. Often the elderly experience psychological abuse, which is alarming given that most people needing this extensive care require a gentle touch. These people are already experienced extensive medical needs and may not be mentally as capable as they were years ago.

To spot abuse, look for signs of reclusiveness or seclusion. Is it difficult to reach your family member? Do they not want to talk to you anymore, or was it the case that the medical staff made it seem inconvenient?

Additionally, check often for bruises or physical signs of abuse. Talk to the doctors of your family member’s medical team about possible abuse warning signs. The doctors for elderly patients should be well aware of the high volume of abuse cases in the elderly. They should regularly look out for unexplained bruises or other damage.

Would They Get The Same Care At Home?

For many families, the solution is to keep their elderly at home. That’s difficult because you may not have the ability to change a catheter or administer medication. It’s very likely that while you or another family member may care more, they may not be able to give the same level of care.

So what can you do? The best you can do is to thoroughly vet a nursing home, and then keep an eye out for signs of abuse. If your loved one already underwent abuse in a nursing facility, you might consider in-home care with regular nurses or medical assistants coming into the home. It’s an option that many families choose after having one bad run-in with abusive nursing home staff.

How Can You Be Certain You Have a Nursing Home Abuse Case?

To pursue a civil case based on abuse or neglect, you need to have a fair amount of proof to support your claim. As you manage that claim, you’ll need to show how that abuse led to the damages and injuries you include in your case. To have a professional review, the possibility of filing a lawsuit then schedule a consultation.

A consultation isn’t guaranteeing that you’re filing a lawsuit. But instead, it helps you understand the proof you have, and the likelihood of opening a case, resolving it through settlement, or taking it into court.

Schedule a Chat With a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

While certainly there are many who expect better care from a facility, it doesn’t always mean abuse. For example, a bare-minimum run facility can ensure that your loved one received all the medical care needed. That doesn’t mean it was a great facility, but it would make it difficult to prove that there was neglect. Talking to a local Columbia nursing home abuse lawyer can clear up a few of your questions.

Ask about the state of care, and whether you should expect any support in your case. If you choose to move forward, this attorney would provide access to resources, undergo the discovery phase, and compile a strong stance. The best way to handle the abuse of the elderly is by bringing that abuse to light. Call Connell Law to ensure that this victim doesn’t go unheard.