It can be difficult to know what to do when you have concerns about an elderly loved one’s safety in a nursing home in Los Angeles County or elsewhere in Southern California. Whether you are visiting a family member in a nursing home or you have other reasons for suspecting abuse or neglect after talking to a loved one or speaking with a healthcare provider, it is important to know what steps you should take. Consider the following tips from our Los Angeles County nursing home neglect lawyers.
Do Not Second Guess Your Instincts
If you have concerns about a senior’s health or well-being in a nursing home, and especially if you have concerns about elder abuse or neglect at a facility, it is critical that you trust yourself and that you do not second-guess your instincts. Many family members feel uncertain about reporting abuse or taking action when they have concerns about an elderly resident. Indeed, some people feel concerned about erroneously making a report about abuse or neglect concerns or moving forward with a complaint against a facility. You should trust yourself, and you should remember that the most important thing is ensuring that a senior you love is not being harmed because of abuse or neglect. As such, making a report or filing a complaint may often be necessary.
Know About the Common Signs of Various Forms of Nursing Home Negligence
When it comes to nursing home abuse and neglect, if you are going to move forward with a report or a claim, it is important to know what signs and symptoms commonly point to abuse or neglect at a Los Angeles County nursing home or assisted living facility. Given that there are so many different forms of abuse and neglect, it can be difficult to determine whether a potential sign of neglect is an indication of the facility’s negligence or a result of a health issue a person is having. Generally speaking, if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms cited by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), it is important to seek help:
- Unexplained physical injuries like cuts, bruises, broken bones, burns, or restraint marks;
- Unexplained sexually transmitted infections or bleeding in areas suggesting sexual assault;
- Despondency or lack of interest in ordinary activities for a senior;
- Fear of a specific staff member at a facility;
- Depression or anxiety that is otherwise unexplained;
- Bed sores;
- Untreated infections;
- Lack of medical aids;
- Unkempt appearance;
- Dirty room or living area; and/or
- Unexplained weight loss.
Learn How to Make a Report
You can report nursing home abuse or neglect in Southern California in a number of ways. You can contact the police in Los Angeles if you are worried about a senior’s immediate safety. You can also make a report to your loved one’s doctor or other health care provider. In addition, a nursing home abuse or neglect lawyer in Los Angeles County can assess the case and discuss options for moving forward with a complaint against the facility. For concerns about neglect at an assisted-living facility or residential care facility for the elderly (RCFE), you can contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in California or the California Department of Social Services. Finally, you can file a report with Adult Protective Services online, or you can call them at any time of day, seven days per week, at 1-833-401-0832.
Contact a Los Angeles County Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today
If you have concerns about abuse or neglect at a nursing home, one of our Los Angeles County nursing home abuse attorneys can help. Contact the Walton Law Firm today for more information.
See Related Blog Posts:
Questions to Ask ABout Elder Abuse in Riverside County
Risk Factors for Nursing Home Abuse Injuries in San Diego County