Nobody wants to think about risks of elder abuse and neglect at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in Riverside County, yet older adults routinely suffer serious and fatal injuries as a result of nursing home abuse. It is critical for family members to recognize that nursing home abuse and neglect often go unreported. Thus, it is essential to be able to recognize the signs of various types of abuse, from symptoms of physical or emotional abuse to clear warning signs of passive neglect. Although each type of nursing abuse has its own particular signs and symptoms, you should always seek help anytime an elderly loved one exhibits changes in behavior or shows signs of physical harm that do not have a logical explanation.
Why does nursing home abuse go unreported so frequently? Our Riverside County nursing home abuse attorneys want to discuss some of the common reasons that abuse and neglect are not reported at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in Southern California.
Fear of Further Abuse or Retaliation
Elderly nursing home residents often do not report abuse because they fear that the staff member perpetrating the abuse will retaliate against them.
Victim is Ashamed of the Abuse
In some cases, particularly when the abuse is psychological and is designed to shame or embarrass a nursing home resident, the victim will not report the abuse because she or he is ashamed. It is essential for friends and family members to be observant of changes in a senior’s behavior and to get help if there is cause for concern.
Unclear Process for Getting Help
Whether it is a senior who is suffering the abuse or a friend or family member visiting at the facility, signs and symptoms of abuse can actually go unreported merely because the process for reporting it or getting help is unclear. If you have any concerns about how to report abuse, a nursing home abuse lawyer in Riverside County can help.
Unsure if it is Actually Abuse
Sometimes family members as friends, as well as seniors who have been injured by elder abuse or neglect, do not report it because they are not certain that abuse is occurring. They may feel concerned about misreporting abuse and launching an investigation where no abuse has happened. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you have any inkling of abuse, you should make a report to help keep your elderly loved one safe.
Failure to Recognize Signs and Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse
One of the most common reasons for nursing home abuse underreporting is that it simply is not recognized, either by friends and family members or by the older adult being victimized. One frequent reason that seniors do not realize they are being abused and do not report it is Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Indeed, elderly nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s are particularly vulnerable to repeated abuse since they may not be able to recognize or report it.
Contact Our Riverside County Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Do you have questions about reporting nursing home abuse or filing a claim? A Riverside County nursing home abuse and neglect attorney at our firm can assist you. Contact the Walton Law Firm today.
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