It is never an easy decision when you realize that the time has come to entrust a loved one’s care to a nursing home. Our loved ones’ “golden years” should be just that, golden. So, we do our homework and use our best judgment to find a caring and compassionate facility to care for our family members as we would. Unfortunately, no matter how much we prepare, we can never account for everything. Not all nursing homes take their responsibilities seriously. A revolving door of caregivers can mean you may never truly know the person responsible for your family member’s everyday well-being. Nursing homes such as Aperion Care can boast tree-lined streets in thriving neighborhoods. But you must be comfortable about what is happening behind closed doors.
At Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC, we truly care about the health and well-being of your precious loved ones. If you suspect that there could be a chance that your loved one is being abused in any way, don’t hesitate to call our office and talk with one of our skilled attorneys.
We have the resources available to thoroughly investigate your claims of abuse at Aperion Care and get to the bottom of what triggered your reaction. Whether it is physical, mental, or even financial abuse, we want to ensure that you and your family are protected. Call us at 312-346-8620 for a free consultation to review your concerns.
What Is Nursing Home Abuse?
The Nursing Home Abuse Center characterizes the term “nursing home abuse” as any type of action or behavior that hurts an elderly resident in either a nursing home or a long-term care facility. The definition is broad because nursing home abuse can take so many different forms. We may think of abuse strictly as physical. Physical abuse is one of the easiest to identify when we begin to notice patterns of cuts, bruises, broken bones, and unexplained injuries.
However, residents can also be abused mentally or emotionally, sexually, and financially, and they can even be neglected to the point where it falls under the umbrella of abuse. Statistics compiled by the Nursing Home Abuse Center suggest that nearly one out of three nursing homes in the United States have been cited for some form of abuse.
Why Does Abuse Occur?
There is a huge variety of factors that come into play when we talk about why nursing home abuse occurs at all. It seems hard to fathom the fact that anyone would want to intentionally cause harm to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Many of the reasons abuse takes place in nursing home facilities stem from the employees that nursing homes hire and the corporation that oversees running the facility itself.
Here are a few of the more common reasons that nursing home abuse takes place:
- Understaffing – If a nursing home is understaffed, it burdens employees in charge of caring for elderly residents. They may be negligent in their duties, neglect patients, or fail to care for residents properly. They may also rush through their duties, not paying attention to the health or well-being of the people they look after.
- Poor Hiring Practices – Some nursing homes may seek to resolve staffing issues by quickly hiring staff who are not qualified for the position. A facility may even be lax regarding following through with proper background checks and vetting processes. Hiring the wrong people can spell disaster and lead to abusive personalities taking care of vulnerable residents. This negligent behavior on the part of the facility can have major repercussions.
- Lack of Supervision – A facility with no safeguards to oversee employees and supervise care properly can find itself in trouble with abuse allegations. All staff members need the proper level of supervision to ensure duties are performed correctly and safely.
- Poor Pay or Greed – Financial abuse can occur when staff is poorly compensated or just plain greedy. Caregivers may scam residents, steal personal property, engage in identity theft, or even coerce and threaten patients into giving them money. Exploiting the elderly for money is a form of abuse.
- Corporate Structure – Nursing homes are typically established as for-profit businesses. As such, there may be instances where corporate greed and the need to turn a profit come at the expense of residents’ health and safety.
Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse
The signs of nursing home abuse may not always be obvious. Some signs are subtle and hard to detect, especially if a caregiver is trying to cover their tracks. Staying vigilant, asking questions, and trusting your instincts is important. No one knows your loved one better than you. If you feel something is wrong at an Aperion Care nursing home, you must dig deeper; if you need help, Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC can provide it. If you suspect some type of abuse is happening to a loved one, be on the lookout for some of these more common signs of abuse:
Physical Injuries:
- Repeated falls
- Cuts, bruises, or broken bones
- Bedsores
- Burns
- Unexplained marks
Emotional or Personality Changes
- Anxiety or depression
- Sudden withdrawal from activities
- Change in sleep or eating patterns, eating more or sleeping less, for example
- Refusal to cooperate with staff members or complain about certain staff
- Lack of eye contact
- Distancing themselves from others, even family
- Isolation
- Verbal or behavioral outbursts
Other Warning Signs:
- Sudden change in weight or appearance
- Poor hygiene
- Linens or bandages that go unchanged
- Frequent illnesses or infections
- Change in finance
- Missing possessions or heirlooms
- Malnourishment and dehydration
Any one of these signs can signal abuse, and Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC can help you thoroughly investigate your concerns to determine if abuse or neglect is occurring.
Can Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC Help Me and My Family with Abuse or Neglect at Aperion Care?
At Karlin, Fleisher & Falkenberg, LLC, we pride ourselves on offering you and your loved ones compassionate and sensitive care during this difficult time. We know you have a lot of questions and want to make sure that your family member is safe. Our legal team has the experience and resources to investigate your suspicions and look into allegations of nursing home abuse.
Your family deserves the best—don’t settle for less than they deserve. Call us at 312-346-8620 for a free consultation.