Signs of a Neglect in Florida Long Term Care Facilities

When somebody decides to live in a nursing home or long-term care community, their loved ones’ worst fear is that they’ll be mistreated, receive inadequate care, or be a victim of nursing home abuse. While the vast majority of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other communities geared toward older adults are reputable and trustworthy, instances of nursing home abuse and misconduct do happen.

A care provider isn’t going to broadcast that they don’t treat their residents well, so you’ll have to be on the lookout for signs that something is amiss. No single marker determines whether a facility is up to snuff. 

However, consistent red flags of substandard care crop up time and again. If you notice any of the following at your loved one’s residence, it may be time to start asking hard questions, and contact Distasio Law Firm’s Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer for answers on how to handle the situation.

 

Red Flags That May Indicate Substandard Care or Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

As you observe your loved one, and the facility where they’re living, keep an eye out for signs of substandard care. Such signs may include:

Incomplete or Evasive Answers to Your Questions

When you interact with nurses, doctors, administrators, and other staff, they should provide clear, direct answers to your questions. If you sense any form of deception, dodging, or questionable responses to your questions or concerns, then you may have a reason for further investigation.

Understaffing

Understaffing is one of the greatest hazards in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. If staff appears to be overstretched or generally unavailable, your loved one’s safety could be at risk. 

For instance, budget cuts can affect the availability of staff members on call. The few working staff members might take their stress out on residents, making the facility negligent for abuse or neglect that may occur.

A Dirty or Cluttered Environment

The visible appearance of a facility for the elderly tells you a lot. If staff does not care for the physical space, then they may not be properly caring for your loved one, either.

A Lack of Available Medical Professionals

Health problems are common in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. If you are concerned about the number of nurses and doctors on hand, you should bring this concern to administrators.

Unsupervised Residents

If you notice that residents are often left to their own devices, with little supervision or stimulation, this may indicate a lack of resident care in the facility and could be a signs of potential neglect.

Disrespectful Behavior Toward Residents

If you notice staffers being rude, visibly impatient, or otherwise disrespectful towards residents, you are right to wonder how they act when you’re not watching.

Any Other Off-Putting or Concerning Observations

Every nursing home and assisted living facility is unique. If you notice anything that concerns you, ask questions. 

Nobody can stand up for an elderly loved one like you can. You should never feel uncomfortable asking hard questions to protect a family member. If you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact Distasio Law Firm’s Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer for assistance.

What Are Other Signs of Possible Mistreatment?

The National Institute on Aging lists several possible signs of elder abuse, including:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • An unkempt appearance
  • Significant personality changes
  • Weight loss
  • Visible injuries
  • Behaviors that indicate fear or agitation

These are just a few of the many possible indicators of mistreatment, abuse, or neglect. Your loved one’s symptoms may vary based on the specific way they are being mistreated. Elder mistreatment can include:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse can include but is not limited to, slapping, punching, pinching, burning, or otherwise physically harming your loved one. Physical abuse may produce personality changes, visible injuries, and cause your loved one to become more fearful of physical contact.

Psychological and Emotional Abuse

Verbal intimidation, insults, manipulation, threats, and other types of abuse can be just as harmful as physical abuse. Psychological and emotional mistreatment can cause the deterioration of your loved one’s mental and physical health.

Sexual Abuse

The elderly can be victims of sexual abuse. Physical injuries around your loved one’s genitalia are just one possible symptoms of sexual abuse.

If you believe any of these things have happened to your loved ones, contact our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer for guidance.

What Should You Do If You’ve Seen Red Flags of Possible Mistreatment?

You should do what you think is necessary to protect your loved one from harm. If you’re certain that your loved one has been mistreated, abused, or neglected, you’re within your rights to remove them from a dangerous nursing home or assisted-living facility. 

Consulting a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer is helpful for many loved ones of elder abuse victims. A Nursing Home Abuse Attorney from our firm can:

  • Help you investigate your loved one’s possible mistreatment: We may deploy experts in elder abuse to determine whether your loved one has been mistreated.
  • Identify liable parties: We can identify those who perpetrated mistreatment and those who should have prevented such mistreatment from happening.
  • Gather evidence of mistreatment: We will seek medical records, document injuries, obtain witness accounts, and gather any other evidence of mistreatment. Such evidence may help us achieve justice on your loved one’s behalf.
  • Take appropriate legal action: Elder mistreatment is never acceptable. When it happens, our firm pursues justice for the victims. We can sue liable parties who put your loved one in harm’s way.
  • Protect your loved one’s rights: Liable parties may try to manipulate your loved one, perhaps by revoking their claims of abuse. We’ll protect your loved one from any attempts to violate their rights.
  • Protect your well-being: Though legal action may be necessary, you may not want to deal with the upsetting realities of your loved one’s mistreatment. By handling your case, we’ll protect you from such unsettling facts.

Our Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer can guide you through this trying time. They can help you identify red flags of possible nursing home neglect or abuse, and take action when it happens. Call us today if you have questions or concerns about nursing home abuse claims.

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Our main office is here in Downtown Tampa, Florida in the Channelside neighborhood. Office in Wesley Chapel and Largo are available by appointment only.

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