What You Should Know About New York Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
When it becomes necessary to place a loved one in a nursing home, we want to know that our loved one is being treated well. Elderly nursing home residents deserve kindness and proper care, and to be treated with courtesy and respect.
Many nursing homes provide excellent care for their residents, and have staff who connect with elderly people personally and genuinely care about their well-being. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect does occur in some facilities.
If you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, your best course of action is to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. At Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP we take nursing home abuse seriously. We offer a free case consultation at no obligation to you. Contact our firm for knowledgeable legal information on how to proceed.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
The U.S. Department of Health, Administration on Aging (AOA) reports that hundreds of thousands of elderly people are neglected, abused or exploited every year. Because the elderly often suffer in silence, the AOA stresses the need for alertness to any signs of abuse.
Abuse can be physical or emotional, or take the form of neglect. If your loved one is in a nursing home, it is important to call or visit as often as you can. Listen to your loved one, and be aware of any of the following indicators that abuse or neglect may be occurring:
- Messy or dirty room.
- Torn or dirty clothing or poor personal hygiene.
- Broken eyeglasses.
- Bruises, abrasions, burns or broken bones (be alert for slap or restraint marks).
- Bruises around the breasts or genital area or sexually transmitted disease.
- Bed sores.
- Dehydration.
- Unusual weight loss or signs of malnutrition.
- Constant hunger or begging for food.
- Depression, fearfulness, fatigue.
- Withdrawal from normal activities or changes in alertness.
- Tense or strained relationship or arguments between a caregiver and the nursing home resident.
- Refusal of a caregiver to allow you to visit with the resident alone.
- Facility in disrepair.
- Residents left unattended for long intervals.
- Lack of medical and dental care and insufficient medical personnel.
- Any drug overdose.
- Resident not taking prescribed medications regularly (when more medication remains in a prescription than there should be).
- Alterations or changes in the elderly person’s will, accounts or finances.
What Should you do If you Suspect Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?
If you observe signs that your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, the first step is to report the problem to the nursing home administration. Your next step may be to file a complaint with the New York State Department of Health. This is the agency responsible for investigating nursing home complaints and incidents in violation of state and federal regulations.
Move your loved one to a safe location if necessary, and then contact a seasoned Long Island personal injury attorney to review your case. At Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP our attorneys will assess your case for free. If you have a valid claim, we will represent you on contingency, at no cost up front.
Our nursing home abuse attorneys have more than a century of combined experience. We have recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Our firm is committed to helping clients hold abusive nursing homes and staff accountable for the harm they cause.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Sources:
- Administration on Aging: What Is Elder Abuse?
- New York State Department of Health: Complaints About Nursing Home Care
