No one deserves to live in a place that fails to provide the best care and environment. Filing a claim against the facility is an emotional and difficult thing to do, but you can get help from a Little Rock nursing home abuse lawyer from McMath Woods.
McMath Woods is dedicated to helping victims of elder abuse and their families. We will make sure to defend your loved one’s rights and get them the justice they deserve.
Arkansas has a population of nearly three million. More than 20 percent of those residents are 60 years of age or older, and 10 percent of those individuals are considered low-income. If there is a time when they need to enter into Little Rock assisted living or a long-term care facility like a nursing home, they may not be able to pay for a facility that treats its residents fairly and properly. Across the country, the National Coalition on Aging (NCOA) reports that around one in 10 people over the age of 65 are experiencing some form of elder abuse; however, it’s also known that this form of abuse is highly unreported. This makes it difficult to determine just how often nursing home mistreatment occurs. If you are worrying about your loved one, one of the best things you can do is learn as much as you can about elder abuse. Our nursing home abuse lawyers can provide you with the information you need so you’ll be able to more easily detect if your loved one is in danger.
Nursing home abuse can happen in several ways. While there are types of abuse that occur because of malicious intent, abuse can also occur because the nursing home isn’t able to provide the care that your loved one needs. Common types of elderly abuse are:
A staff member commits this type of abuse when they use physical force that causes bodily harm, ongoing impairment, or physical pain. Pushing, shoving, or holding a resident with too much force that can leave bruises are all forms of physical abuse.
Any form of sexual contact without consent is sexual abuse. For residents who have issues with communicating, it may be difficult for them to tell others about the abuse that is happening.
Also referred to as emotional abuse, this is defined as inflicting pain, distress, or anguish by verbal or nonverbal means. Yelling, criticizing, insulting, and keeping a resident away from others at the nursing home are forms of mental abuse. This often alienates them, and they may be scared to tell someone about what’s going on.
The nursing home staff has a responsibility to ensure their residents are cared for and watched over. When a negligent facility is incapable of taking care of one of its residents for any reason, they may choose to abandon them. They could desert them at a public place or leave them at a hospital.
This occurs when someone illegally or improperly uses an elderly person’s assets or property. Nursing home employees can take advantage of a senior’s memory issues and trick them into giving away their money. Perpetrators may forge signatures, steal cash, sign checks, steal possessions, or coerce their victims into signing documents they do not understand.
If you believe your loved one faced abuse in a different manner, legal action is still possible. Our Little Rock nursing home abuse attorneys can evaluate your claim and help you determine how to proceed.
Our nursing home abuse lawyers recognize that some nursing home residents are at a greater risk of being abused than others. The following factors could make someone more susceptible to abuse:
If your loved one is someone you believe to be more susceptible to abuse, there are signs you can look for that can give you an idea of how they’re really being treated.
It’s difficult to mask the signs of nursing home abuse because the negative treatment can leave various kinds of evidence that you can pick up on. If you suspect your loved one is being abused in their Little Rock nursing home, you can look for the following signs:
This can range from broken bones and fractures to cuts and bruises. While an occasional bump is common, your loved one should not have consistent injuries.
If your loved one was usually energetic and upbeat but now they’re lethargic or easily startled, this could be because someone is abusing them.
Seniors need exercise to stay healthy, and they need to get out of their rooms to maintain a high quality of life. Bed sores may be evidence that your loved one is being left in bed too long and too often.
While those in nursing homes may have difficulty with speech, if you notice a change in your loved one’s ability to communicate that seems out of character, it could be because they’re being overmedicated. Nursing homes may overmedicate residents because it’s easier to control them in this state.
Seniors in nursing homes may require help with personal hygiene tasks. This includes brushing teeth, showering, and changing clothes. Noticing that your loved one doesn’t have fresh clothing or sheets or is dirty could be evidence of neglect.
Hydration and nutritious food are essential for seniors. Lack of water and healthy food makes them susceptible to contracting illnesses or physically weakens them. A neglectful nursing home won’t ensure your loved one is hydrated or getting the nutrition they need.
The nursing home should be clean and sanitized to help stop germs from spreading and improve the comfort level of residents. Accidents may happen, but nursing home staff should clean up a mess in a reasonable amount of time. If the nursing home is dirty, it may not be the best environment for your loved one.
When you visit your loved one, you may want to consider speaking to other families or residents about their experience with the facility. You could also try going outside of typical visiting hours. If any caregiver attempts to stop you from seeing your loved one, this is a red flag. Our nursing home abuse lawyers can investigate the suspected signs of abuse and get to the bottom of what’s going on.
Whether you’re looking to move your loved one to a facility that will care for them properly or are looking for a nursing home for the first time, it’s important to know what characteristics a quality long-term care facility possesses.
No matter what their physical or mental condition, all residents deserve to be treated with respect. All staff members should be friendly, supportive, and caring while assisting seniors. Employees should also be cognizant of residents’ privacy by doing simple things like knocking before entering rooms.
Long-term care facilities should provide a variety of social, physical, creative, and educational activities that will appeal to all residents. Community events and planned group activities can also benefit residents and their families.
A good nursing home invites family members and friends to drop in to see their loved ones any time that is deemed reasonable. If the facility has strict visiting hours and loved ones are not allowed to see their family any other time, there may be cause for concern.
As discussed above, hydration and nutrition are crucial. Nursing homes should provide well-balanced and attractive meals in locations that encourage social interaction. Accommodations should be easily made for individuals with health problems and religious or ethical needs.
Long-term care facilities should make every effort to provide residents with a home-like environment. Residents should be able to decorate and furnish their rooms as they please. The facility should also be cleaned and maintained regularly. Hallways should be lit and clear of obstacles, and all spaces should be sanitized and orderly.
Call us or fill out the form to tell us about your potential case and a personal injury lawyer will get back to you as quickly as possible.
