During this time of the year, churches and organizations sing Christmas carols at nursing homes and assisted living facilities to bring holiday cheer to many people who are wheelchair-bound and don’t get around as they used to. Unfortunately, many nursing home residents don’t get a lot of visitors because many families forget about their elderly relatives. For this reason, those who go caroling need to be aware of the fact that nursing home abuse does occur.

If you go caroling at nursing homes, it is important that you know what to look for so that you don’t ignore signs of nursing home abuse. While it may be difficult to spot financial abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse while visiting a place for a short amount of time, physical abuse is easier to spot due to open wounds, cuts, bruises, and other visible injuries.

If you notice soiled sheets, use of restraints, and any visible injury on a resident, abuse may be occurring at that nursing home. If you suspect that someone is being abused by the nursing home staff or another resident, it is important that you know what to do to make sure that resident is safe. While you might not want to get involved, remember every abused resident may be someone’s mother or father and grandma or grandpa.

Here are some things you can do to protect an elderly nursing home resident:

  • If possible, ask the resident if he or she is being harmed by someone at the nursing home
  • Speak with the manager of the nursing home about your suspicions
  • Come back and visit that resident to see if he or she has new wounds
  • File a complaint with Florida’s Adult Protective Services Department or the police, if you believe someone is in imminent danger

Keep other families safe. Share this page on social media to help protect other families in our community.
 

Damian Mallard, Esq.
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Board Certified Sarasota Personal Injury Attorney
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