Southern California Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Blog
Nobody wants to think about the risks of nursing home abuse in Riverside County or elsewhere in Southern California, but nursing home abuse and neglect do occur with relative frequency and can result in debilitating and life-threatening injuries among older adults. When you have an elderly loved one in a nursing home in Riverside County or anywhere else in the area, it is important to know about common signs and symptoms of abuse so that you can take steps quickly to stop the abuse and hold the facility accountable. Given that many family members visit elderly relatives in nursing homes during the holiday season, the early days of the new year are a good time to assess a loved one’s quality of life in their nursing home and to consider any signs of abuse or neglect.
Our Riverside County nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers can tell you more about some of the most common indicators of abuse and neglect in California nursing homes.
Unexplained Injuries
Any unexplained injuries are cause for concern, including bruises, burns, lacerations, scars, and broken bones. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), unexplained injuries frequently point to physical abuse or sexual abuse, and they can also be signs of passive neglect at a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Bed Sores and Other Preventable Infections
It is important for you to know that bed sores and other preventable infections are not an inevitable consequence of residing in a nursing home but rather common signs of passive neglect for which a nursing home can be liable. When a nursing home or assisted-living facility does not have sufficient staff to provide necessary care to patients, bed sores and other avoidable infections can occur.
Depression, Anxiety, or Other Changes in Behavior
Any unexplained changes in an older adult’s behavior — including depression and anxiety, for example — can be signs of emotional abuse, as well as signs of physical and sexual abuse or other forms of neglect. Do not ignore changes in an elderly loved one’s behavior.
Untidy or Unhealthy Appearance
If your elderly loved one looks like they are not bathing regularly, their living area is unclean, or they appear dehydrated or malnourished, these could be signs of passive neglect or willful deprivation. According to the NIH, any indication that a loved one is not being properly cared for should be addressed immediately.
Contact a Riverside County Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyer
Nursing homes should be safe for all residents, and they should be places where residents can receive the quality of care they need based on their own particular circumstances. When injuries occur because of abuse, neglect, or negligence in a nursing home, it is important to take steps in order to hold the facility accountable. One of our experienced Riverside County nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys can talk with you today to assess your case and discuss options with you. Contact the Walton Law Firm to learn more about the services we provide to older adults and their families in Riverside County and throughout Southern California.
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