A nursing home may never have been something you thought you would consider for your mother, but her current condition necessitates the care. You and your siblings take an extended amount of time finding the right fit for mom, and when you go to visit, you expect to see her thriving. However, there seems to be something off, and you can’t necessarily identify it. Does she seem quieter? What are those markings on her arm? Has she been bathed? If you find yourself seeking out a staff member to get some answers, you may already have some evidence of abuse. Take a look at three signs that your mom’s nursing home may be negligent.
1. Inexplicable Bruising or Injury
As people age, skin becomes thinner and more prone to bruising. While you can understand some measure of skin injuries, a high number of cuts, scratches, or bruises may be a sign of something more nefarious. If your mother’s wounds seem to be recurring, especially on the arms, it may signal she has been grabbed or even restrained. Some skin injuries may become infected if they break the skin, and so you should report anything you see to the staff immediately.
2. A Change in Behavior
Was your mom always outgoing, even in her older years? A person who is enduring abuse or neglect may have a drastic change in behavior and personality. If you notice that from one visit to the next your mother has stopped acting as she usually would, she may be fearful of repercussions of abuse. Some aging people suffering from neglect or abuse may become belligerent and even violent to family members. Thus, a change in personality either way may indicate something serious is happening.
3. Frequent Trips to the Hospital
While a nursing home can provide some measure of medical care for aging people, it sends injuries or medical emergencies to the hospital. Do you find yourself getting frequent calls that your mother is on her way to the hospital? If your mother’s medical condition seems to deteriorate or she suffers from falls, you may want to speak to her physician about your concerns. A doctor is a great person to support your theory of nursing home neglect or abuse. Even if your mother does not disclose, a doctor may be able to find medical signs and symptoms to help build your case.
A lawyer, like a nursing home lawyer from Brown Kiely LLP, can further help get your mother financial compensation for any abuse or neglect in the nursing home. You expect your mother to be cared for, and when it does not happen, you may have a case.