Common Warning Signs of Elder Abuse and Neglect

Common Warning Signs of Elder Abuse and Neglect

• November 20
• Evans/Reilley
• Nursing Home Abuse

Elderly people are often dependent on others for care. They may need assistance with mobility, the tasks of daily life, or with managing their affairs. Unfortunately, not everyone receives the quality care they need and deserve — quite the opposite, in fact. Some caregivers are negligent or abusive, putting elderly people at risk of harm.

Identifying signs of elder abuse and neglect at the outset can help prevent more serious illness and injury and help maintain their well being. That action may however, be more challenging than you would imagine. Signs of elder abuse are not always obvious.

Abuse Occurs More Often Than Most Would Expect

Common Warning Signs of Elder Abuse and Neglect

Sadly, many people don’t realize right away that their loved ones are victims of abuse and neglect. The signs can be subtle.  Most people spend considerable time and energy identifying the right caretaker or facility for their family member, so they are confident in their selection and believe they made the very best choice. Unfortunately, even people and places with the best reviews can have issues. Thus, it is important to keep your eyes and ears open for signs of trouble.

Some of the most common manifestations of abuse and neglect include:

• Depression
• Bruising and injuries
• Poor hygiene
• Fearfulness or anxiety
• Withdrawal from friends, family, or usual activities
• Rapid unexplained weight loss or dehydration (which could result from deprivation or from refusal to eat and drink)
• Mental instability
• Bedsores (from being left in one position for too long)
• Onset of illness
• Reluctance to communicate/make eye contact.

Additionally, financial abuse, which may occur in a nursing home or with in-home care, may be evident if an elderly person has unpaid bills or lacks necessities. People who financially abuse the elderly often intercept checks that are intended for that person’s care and either forge their signature or coerce them into signing.

Abuse in Texas Nursing Homes Is a Significant Issue

Many people elect to place their loved ones in nursing homes and care facilities specifically out of the belief that these regulated environments offer less risk for neglect and abuse than a home health care aid. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. In fact, nursing home abuse in the state of Texas is a big problem.

First, many nursing homes are understaffed and employees are overworked. This becomes a significant issue when it comes to providing quality care, especially because nursing home residents rely on the staff for a host of assistance. Some residents are unable to move independently and require help with dressing, bathing and personal hygiene. When staff does not or cannot tend to these needs, these residents suffer from neglect, a form of abuse.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office recognized the problem of elder abuse in nursing homes and shared actions that could be considered abusive.  These include:

• Involuntary confinement/seclusion
• Intimidation, humiliation, and harassment
• Deprivation (of food, medication, care, or activities)
• Physical and sexual assault
• Sexual harassment
• Mocking or remarks (even if a resident cannot hear or comprehend the behavior or remarks)
• Exploitation (such as stealing a resident’s medication or money).

Supervision in nursing homes is critical to maintaining safety. Dementia can cause elderly patients to have explosive outbursts and hostile tendencies that can endanger other residents.

When you visit your family members in a nursing home, pay close attention to everything that happens. Unfortunately, you cannot always rely on your relatives to tell you if they are not being cared for appropriately. They may be afraid to speak out against those on whom they are reliant, be concerned about retaliation, or may even be unaware that they are being victimized.

How to Deal With Elder Abuse and Neglect in Texas

Engage a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney

If you believe your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, you are likely overwhelmed. You never expected that your decision to get them the help they need would wind up being so detrimental. Knowing what to do and managing the process effectively can be a challenge, especially when you still need to find quality care for your family member.

When it comes to care facilities, things are not always as they appear; and when things go wrong, they do so quickly. In situations like this, engaging the assistance of an experienced Texas nursing home abuse attorney is in your best interests. This professional can pursue legal action for compensation for your loved one’s injuries while you focus on identifying the best place for them to live.

Contact Evans/Reilley Today

Nursing homes operate under the guidelines of Texas law. Should a resident become injured or ill as a result of abuse or negligent care, they can be held liable.

We know how to prove negligence, identify, calculate and substantiate damages, and how to effectively manage the legal process from beginning to end.

Reach out to us today at 512 -732-2727 to schedule a free consultation. During this meeting we can learn exactly what happened to your loved one and share how we would address your situation. While nursing home abuse and neglect is common in Texas, each case is unique both in terms of what happened and its impact on those affected. While we leverage our knowledge and experience, we take the time to understand the details of your experience in order to build a strong case and understand the damages.

Time, in cases like this, is a critical component. By involving us as soon as possible, you provide us the opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation while evidence is still available. Personal injury law in Texas has a statute of limitations, as does medical malpractice.  We want to take advantage of the time we have.

Our team is known for the compassionate and caring service they provide our clients and the skillful and aggressive manner in which they represent them. There is no excuse for elder abuse and neglect. We will work tirelessly to hold those responsible liable.