Nursing Home Abuse | Personal Injury Blog
How to Investigate Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Our elderly loved ones deserve to live in a safe, comfortable, healthful, friendly environment. Sadly, nursing home abuse and neglect are common occurrences today. Rates of abuse are high in nursing homes, with two out of three staff reporting that they have committed abuse in the past year, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Watching for the Signs of Elder Abuse
Taking care of an elderly family member can be difficult, especially if you have your own full-time job to contend with. That is why many Nebraska families turn to nursing homes to provide care for their aging parents and grandparents. These facilities are supposed to be safe, happy, respectful – the perfect place for your loved one to live in. Sadly, that isn’t always the case.
How to File a Nursing Home Abuse Claim for a Family Member
One of the most difficult situations to be in the middle of is a nursing home abuse or neglect claim. For families, it is heartbreaking to see a loved one mistreated and difficult to process all of the legal requirements they must fulfill. In many cases, family members face certain roadblocks that prevent them from filing a civil case against a facility that caused their loved one’s injuries, typically because they do not have the legal authority to act on their loved one’s behalf.
How Nursing Homes Violated Resident Rights in the COVID-19 Response
Nursing home residents have been hit harder by COVID-19 than any other segment of the population. The compromised immune systems of residents and the tight confines of most facilities make nursing homes a breeding ground for viral infections, which is a major issue come flu season. This has also contributed to the spread of COVID-19 across the country in nursing homes where large outbreaks occurred.
Are Nursing Homes Liable for COVID-19 Infections?
COVID-19, aka the Coronavirus, is a highly infectious virus that can be fatal for individuals 65 years or older. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are particularly at risk for outbreaks due to the compromised immune symptoms of residents and the constant coming and goings of staff and visitors.
Warning Signs of Emotional or Psychological Nursing Home Abuse
Finding the right nursing home for a loved one is an important process. Most of the time, the elderly do not want to leave their homes and surrender their independence to a nursing home. This is a difficult decision, and you rely on the nursing home to care for your loved one properly.
Unfortunately, there are situations where caregivers mistreat elderly patients. Physical abuse is easy to identify, but emotional and psychological abuse tend to go unnoticed. Pay close attention to your loved one when you are visiting them, and if they are exhibiting any of the following behaviors, investigate the situation immediately.
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