The holiday season is a time for families and loved ones to gather, and that usually means it is a time to see our elderly parents and other loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Most people are not able to visit their elderly loved ones in nursing homes as often as they would like, and as the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) underscores, a visit during the holidays may be the only visit of the year for many of us. As such, the holiday season is often a time to ensure that your elderly loved ones are receiving the care they need and that they are safe and healthy in the facilities where they are living.
The NCEA recommends making a checklist before you visit an elderly loved one at a nursing home or assisted living facility that can help you to determine whether elder abuse or nursing home negligence could be a risk. The following are some considerations when you are visiting with an elderly loved one this holiday season.
Are There Signs of Neglect or Abuse at a Nursing Home or Assisted Living Facility
First, it is important to determine whether there are any potential signs of nursing home abuse or neglect at the facility. As the NCEA explains, any of the following should be signs for concern and warrant follow-up:
Presence of unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, restraint marks, and other indicators of physical abuse;
Bed sores, or pressure sores, which often result from nursing home neglect;
Change in your elderly loved one’s behavior, including remarks about wanting to avoid a particular staff member or signs of withdrawal or depression;
Your elderly loved one is talking about a “new friend” who is coming to visit the facility and may be financially exploiting your loved one;
Signs of malnourishment or dehydration, including unexplained weight loss;
Erratic behavior from a staff member or caregiver at the nursing home;
Your elderly loved one does not have the medical devices they require; or
Living space appears dirty or unkempt.
Are There Signs Your Loved One Needs More Assistance Than They Have?
In addition to signs of abuse and neglect, your elderly loved one also needs more regular care than they are currently receiving. Some of the above signs can point to passive neglect or negligence. Beyond obvious indications that your elderly loved one lacks sufficient care, it is important to consider whether any recent injuries may have resulted from passive neglect or inattention. For example, if your elderly loved one fell and broke a hip or another bone, the fall may have resulted from the facility failing to provide sufficient care based on your elderly loved one’s specific needs.
Contact a New York Nursing Home Negligence Attorney Today
If you have an elderly loved one in a New York nursing home and you have concerns about abuse, it is important to seek advice from a New York nursing home negligence lawyer who can help. We can assess your case and can provide you with more information about moving forward with a claim. Contact Leitner Varughese, PLLC, to learn more about how we can assist you.
