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3 Helpful Tips When Dealing With Nursing Home Abuse

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When you send your family member to a nursing home, you expect them to be treated fairly. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse does happen and it could jeopardize your loved one's health. If you suspect this is happening to one of your family members, you need to act fast. 

1. Choose the Right Nursing Home 

To prevent nursing home abuse from happening in the first place, it's important to screen potential facilities. Look for facilities that hire certified nurses who have experience with an older demographic. If you can, set up tours that give you the chance to explore different facilities and talk to onsite staff members. Afterwards, choose a facility that gives you the best vibe and actively tries to provide a relaxing, happy atmosphere. 

There are several red flags to remember when searching for the ideal nursing home. These include a high staff turnover rate, history of violations, bad reviews from former families, and lack of independence for residents. Take your time with this decision because your family's health is on the line. 

2. Be Aware of Warning Signs

Before taking legal action against a nursing home, you must first prove that abuse is occurring. The more obvious physical warning signs to monitor each week include bruises, abrasions, and burns on the body. Don't forget to pull up sleeves and pant legs when inspecting, as some nursing homes may try to hide physical abuse with coverage. 

Also know that nursing home abuse can take many forms other than purely physical, such as emotional, financial exploitation, and neglect. Monitor any changes in mood and behavior. Your loved one may not be as talkative or certain triggers may set them off. Sudden changes could certainly indicate abuse. 

3. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

If you believe nursing home abuse has occurred, it's important to contact a personal injury attorney that specializes in this type of abuse. After compiling evidence and gathering witness testimonials, if available, they'll decide if going to trial is the right option. 

If suing is deemed appropriate, your attorney will come up with an accurate compensation amount for the damage that resulted from the abuse. While preserving your loved one's rights, they'll work just as hard to ensure similar abuse doesn't happen to future residents. 

Nursing home abuse is a sensitive subject that you shouldn't take lightly. You need to act fast and seek legal action if you believe a nursing home is not adequately taking care of your family members. 


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