The holiday season is a time when extended families get together on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to open gifts and enjoy being with the ones they love. Sadly, many grandparents cannot be there to join the festivities because they’re too old, ill, frail, and living in nursing homes. As a result, many family members visit their elderly loved ones in nursing homes during this time of the year.

If your loved one resides in a nursing home in Florida and you are going to visit him or her this holiday season, there are a few things you should look for in order to make sure your family member is in a safe environment and not being abused or neglected. For this reason, it is important to learn some warning signs of nursing home abuse, such as:

  • Cuts and bruises
  • Open wounds and welts
  • Broken bones
  • Unexplained injuries
  • Use of restraints
  • Torn clothing
  • Bedsores
  • Soiled sheets
  • Poor hygiene and upkeep
  • Lack of water and attention

Because physical abuse isn’t the only type of abuse that occurs in nursing homes, it is essential that you keep your eyes peeled for any possible sign that something could be wrong and your loved one may be a victim of abuse. For example, a change in your relative’s behavior, unwarranted crying, paranoia, sudden weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition, could be a sign that your family member may be suffering from neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or further harm.

While it can be difficult to determine if your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, some signs are very easy to spot. By keeping your eyes peeled and asking your grandma or grandpa how she or he is being treated, you can help determine if your loved one is being harmed or treated well. In order to learn additional warning signs for the different types of abuse that occurs in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, request a free copy of our book, The Florida Nursing Home Abuse Handbook.
 

Damian Mallard, Esq.
Connect with me
Board Certified Sarasota Personal Injury Attorney