Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Residents with Dementia

 Posted on July 27, 2021 in Blog Post

Elderly people with dementia require more help with their daily activities than those without the condition. If you have a loved one with dementia, you may have decided to place him or her in a nursing home to be properly looked after. Unfortunately, nursing home residents who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease have a higher risk of suffering abuse. It is important to recognize the signs of nursing home abuse and take legal action if necessary.

Common Types of Nursing Home Abuse

When family members place their loved ones in nursing homes, they expect that nursing home staff will treat the resident with the respect and dignity they deserve. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse occurs, especially among residents with dementia. Common types of nursing home abuse include physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse.

Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home residents with dementia are more vulnerable to nursing home abuse because they often forget about the incidents or cannot communicate what happened. Be on the lookout for the following warning signs which may indicate your loved one is being abused:

• Financial problems - If your family member has suspicious credit card purchases, unpaid bills, or unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts, he or she may have been financially exploited by a staff member.
• Physical injuries - If you notice unexplained injuries, such as cuts, bruises, or broken bones, they may be a victim of physical abuse.
• Emotional distress - If your loved one seems irritable, depressed, or withdrawn, he or she may have experienced verbal abuse, intimidation, or threats from a staff member. If you are not allowed to see your family member in private, it may indicate emotional abuse.
• Poor hygiene - If your family member’s hygiene has significantly declined, he or she may be the victim of neglect. Unwashed hair, body odor, overgrown nails, and dirty skin all indicate that your loved one’s personal hygiene needs are not being met.

If your loved one has contracted a sexually transmitted disease, it is a huge red flag that sexual abuse has occurred in the nursing home. Other signs of sexual abuse include bruising or bleeding in the genitals, blood-stained clothes, and trouble walking.

Contact a Park Ridge, IL Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

If you think that your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, a Glenview, IL nursing home abuse attorney may be able to help. At Quinn Law Group, LLC, we understand how devastating it is to discover that your loved one has suffered abuse and want to help you seek justice. Call us at 847-232-7180 to set up a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6816079/