Southern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Will you be visiting an elderly loved one in an Orange County nursing home this holiday season? If so, it is important to keep an eye out for any potential signs of nursing home abuse or neglect. Thanksgiving and the weeks leading up to Christmas and the New Year are often the time of year when elderly nursing home residents receive the most visitors. It may also be the only time of the year that you get to visit with your elderly parent or grandparent, so it is essential to do your best to ensure that your loved one is happy, healthy, and safe in their current environment.
What should you be thinking about as you plan for your visit with your elderly loved one who is currently residing in a Southern California nursing home? Consider the following from our nursing home neglect lawyers in Orange County.
Discuss Your Visit with Friends and Family Members Ahead of Time
During the holiday season, whether you are visiting a loved one in a nursing home for Thanksgiving, a night of Hanukkah, Christmas Eve, or another important day, you are likely one among several people who will be visiting. To have as many eyes open to potential signs of nursing home abuse or neglect as possible, it is important to discuss this issue with other family members and friends who will be visiting the nursing home, too.
Whether you are all visiting at once or will be making separate visits, be sure that everyone knows what to look for and to trust their instincts if they have any concerns.
Know the Signs of Abuse and Neglect
What should you be looking for when it comes to watching for signs of nursing home abuse or neglect? It is important to know that there are various forms of abuse and neglect that can occur, so signs can vary widely. In short, anything that makes you uneasy should certainly be addressed. But more specifically, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) identifies some of the following signs that are common in cases of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and passive neglect:
- Any unexplained physical injuries such as cuts, bruises, restrained marks, or burns;
- Broken bones;
- Bed sores or other infections;
- Depression or anxiety;
- Any changes in behavior or mood; and/or
- Unexplained weight loss or other signs of dehydration or malnutrition.
Contact Our Orange County Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys Today for Help with Your Case
Visiting an elderly loved one in a nursing home during the holiday season should be a joyful time for you and your other family members, but this is also a time of year when you or another visitor may be most likely to spot a concern related to elder abuse. Even if you are not certain, or if you only have an uneasy feeling, it is essential to seek advice. One of our Orange County nursing home neglect and abuse lawyers can speak with you today about your concerns, and we can help you to learn more about your options for reporting abuse quickly and effectively, and filing a claim against the nursing home facility if necessary. Contact the Walton Law Firm to learn more about the services our attorneys provide to elderly nursing home residents and their families in Southern California.
See Related Blog Posts:
How to Recognize Emotional Abuse in Los Angeles County Nursing Homes
Nursing Home Abuse in San Bernardino County During the Holidays
