Nursing Home Abuse Comes In Many Forms, Some Too Subtle To Spot Immediately

Nursing home abuse is more common than you think. More seniors need care and yet there are fewer resources to provide adequate services.

This is not a good sign of things to come. Nursing home abuse is on the rise across the nation and this is reflected in more abuse lawsuits filed every year. If we do not get a handle on this type of abuse, those of us who are reading about this now may well become victims on the receiving end later in life. That aside, no senior deserves to face abuse.

While it is difficult to get your head around the idea of people abusing an elderly person in their care, it happens. And, it does not just happen in nursing homes. It happens in private care homes and even assisted living complexes. Some signs of abuse are stunningly evident such as bruises, scratches, changes in behavior and bed sores. Other signs of abuse are not so obvious and the biggest one with the highest rates of deaths attached to it is dehydration.

Often, nursing home workers fail to recognize and subsequently treat a patient suffering from dehydration. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to dehydration and its presence often leads to more severe conditions. Mild dehydration is fairly subtle and not always easily identified, but workers are specially trained to detect this. The symptoms of mild dehydration may manifest themselves with headaches and dizziness.

If the patient is not treated at the early signs of dehydration, their body temperature starts to fluctuate, their immune system is not a strong as it should be and their blood pressure may become dangerously low. How do family members spot trouble like this? Take a close look at their eyes. They will appear to be sunken into their head and their usual character may be slightly off. There may also be signs of confusion.

Act immediately to remedy the situation and monitor your loved one after that. It is often a smart thing to keep a log of visits to the home and your observations when you are there in addition to what actions you took to advise the staff there was a problem. If there is no improvement, it is time to call an experienced Arkansas injury lawyer.

Nursing home abuse is often classified as medical malpractice, and an Arkansas injury lawyer can ensure that those who are responsible for the abuse are held accountable. It is a wakeup call for the facility and may help your elder receive the respectful and thoughtful care they deserve.

Michael G. Smith is anArkansas personal injury lawyer and Arkansas business dispute lawyer, practicing personal injury law and veteran’s benefits in Arkansas. Learn more by visiting Arkansaslawhelp.com

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