Do you have an aging parent who will soon be transitioning into life in a nursing home or assisted-living facility in Solano County or elsewhere in Northern California? Or is your elderly parent already residing in a nursing home in the Solano County area? Family members are often in the best position to recognize changes in their elderly loved ones that can point to nursing home abuse or neglect. Accordingly, it is essential to stay up to date on warning signs of abuse and neglect in California nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. What do you need to know? Consider the following information from our Solano County nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers.
Know the Different Types of Elder Abuse in Northern California Facilities
Nursing home abuse in Northern California can take many different forms. While many people often think only of physical abuse, there are actually many kinds of abuse that do not always have obvious physical signs. Types of abuse that can occur in nursing homes in Solano County and throughout Northern California include the following:
- Physical abuse;
- Emotional or psychological abuse, including embarrassment or attempts at humiliation;
- Neglect, which may not be intentional but can nonetheless result in severe and deadly injuries;
- Sexual abuse; and
- Willful deprivation.
It is critical to be able to recognize the signs of all of the above kinds of abuse so that you can protect your elderly loved one.
Be Able to Recognize Common and Less Obvious Signs of Abuse or Neglect
Given that nursing home abuse and neglect can take so many different forms, it can be difficult to always recognize warning signs. Some indicators of abuse or neglect may be obvious, but others can be quite subtle, and you may not always be certain. In short, if you have any concerns at all, take them seriously. You could be protecting your loved one from further abuse. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) cites the following as signs of abuse and neglect that should always be taken seriously:
- Any unexplained injuries, from bruises to cuts to burns to scars to restraint marks;
- Any emotional changes or new instances of depression or anxiety;
- Any unexplained behavioral changes;
- Mood shifts;
- Bed sores;
- Malnutrition, dehydration, or weight loss that is unexplained;
- Lack of medical aids; and/or
- Unclean living conditions.
Contact a Solano County Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney for Assistance Today
When you have any concerns about an elderly loved one’s safety or well-being in a Northern California nursing home or assisted-living facility, it is important to seek legal advice. Even if there is ultimately an explanation — other than abuse or neglect — for the warning signs you noticed, it is better to be safe than sorry. And, quite often, warning signs that family members spot are indeed indicators of abuse or neglect. An experienced Solano County nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer at our firm can speak with you today about your concerns and can help you to take action against the facility where your loved one is residing. Contact the California Nursing Home Law Group to find out more about how we can help.
See Related Blog Posts:
A Dangerous Step Backward: The Repeal of the 24/7 RN Requirement
Paying More Attention to Psychological Abuse in Nursing Homes