Signs of Nursing Home Neglect

Residents of nursing home or assisted living facilities expect safety. Unfortunately, the most common form of nursing home abuse is neglect. North Carolina personal injury attorneys at Brent Adams & Associates have represented many elderly adults who were neglected in nursing homes. Typically these clients can't care for themselves and may be ashamed to report the incidents. They may also be unable to speak because of surgery or other physical condition that developed as they aged. Everyone abused or neglected in a residential care facility deserves to know their rights.

Nursing home abuse affects victims both physically, through bodily harm and medical maltreatment, and emotionally, in feelings of despair and helplessness. If you suspect that a loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home or assisted living facility, there are several signs that may indicate that he or she has been abused:

• Wrong dosage of medication
• Wrong medication
• Low personal hygiene
• Bed sores
• Broken bones, bruises and cuts with no explanation (could be due to falls from poor living conditions)
• Being afraid
• Withdrawal
• Sexual abuse
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Lethargy and depression 
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  Nursing home abuse takes many forms. Intentional, obvious abuse might be caught quickly--or long-term neglect could be compromising a loved one's health. Abuse can be physical, emotional, financial, or even sexual.

  A huge portion of the population is using long-term care facilities. These nursing homes are a place for the elderly to enjoy companionship while receiving daily care and medical treatment. Most facilities are professional, legitimate institutions, but sadly, some are abusing and neglecting innocent elderly people.

  What causes nursing home neglect? Budgets can reduce quantity and/or quality of foods, induce short-staffed facilities and poorly trained staff. This results in negligence, which can be detected by the above signs of nursing home neglect.

  Contact Brent Adams & Associates if you believe someone is being abused in a residential care facility. Our Raleigh, Dunn and Fayetteville nursing home abuse lawyers will review your situation and discuss your legal rights. Call today 1-877-BRENT-ADAMS.