Warning signs If you do not witness abuse firsthand, there are a few red flags that you can watch for to confirm or ease your suspicions.

• Physical changes – Obvious signs of abuse are, of course, physical injuries: bruises, scrapes, or limping. If your loved one begins to start suddenly or flinch away, it could also mean they have been mistreated.
• Mental changes – Has your loved one’s mental state deteriorated more rapidly than would be expected? Do they seem depressed or anxious?
• Financial changes – In some cases, nursing home staff gain access to patients’ bank accounts. Check to see if there is any unusual activity on credit cards or bank statements.

If you suspect that your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, there are several steps you should take right away to secure their safety and pursue legal action.

Talk with the administration

If there is no immediate danger, go speak with a member of the staff you trust, or with one of the higher ups in the organization. It is possible that there was a single employee to blame for the abuse, and the facility did not know about it. While this is problematic in and of itself, meeting to talk should be your first move to raise your concerns and to notify the nursing home of the dangers.

Contact a primary care physician

Talk to a physician who is skilled in elder care about the quality of the care, any diagnoses, and expected behaviors. Explain your concerns and get an expert’s opinion on the state of the home and the health of your loved one.

Report abuse

It’s important to report elder abuse right away, especially if the facility is not receptive to your worries, or if the problem is worse than you had thought. Elder care representatives are familiar with the best ways to investigate and address the problems at the home, and can give you information about next steps.

Talk to an attorney

If you witnessed serious and severe injuries that were due to nursing home neglect and abuse, it’s time to meet with an Arizona attorney about your options. A skilled personal injury lawyer with experience in pursuing nursing home abuse cases can assist you in lodging complaints and protecting both your loved one and all other residents of the nursing home. Have other questions about necessary steps before filing legal action against the nursing home? Call the offices of Simon Law Group today for a free consultation.]]>