West Virginia nursing home abuse and neglect: signs to watch for
The frequency with which nursing home abuse and neglect happen imposes the responsibility on relatives to keep a vigilant watch over their loved ones in long-term care facilities.
March 27, 2013
West Virginia nursing home abuse and neglect: signs to watch forArticle provided by The Bell Law Firm, PLLC
Visit us at http://www.wvnursinghomeabuselawyer.com
When you have to admit a beloved elder to a nursing home for care, you hope for the best under difficult circumstances, that he or she will be well cared for and feel secure. And you have the right to expect that the facility will comply with state and federal laws that require adequate staffing levels, screening for safe hiring, secure buildings; proper equipment, healthy nutrition, professional medical and nursing care, and freedom from abuse and neglect.
Unfortunately, we have all heard and read horror stories in the media of those institutions that fail to provide safe and proper care, which raises the issue of family monitoring. The frequency with which nursing home abuse and neglect happen imposes the responsibility on relatives to keep a vigilant watch over their loved ones in long-term care facilities.
What to watch out for
Some common signs and symptoms that may indicate that nursing home abuse or neglect may be occurring:
-Sudden, extreme change in physical or emotional health
-Abrupt behavior changes like withdrawal, fear or agitation
-Bedsores from insufficient repositioning
-Sleep changes
-Weight loss and anemia can be signs of insufficient diet.
-Frequent infections
-Falls
-Elopement or wandering away from the facility may be a sign that supervision is inadequate, that doors do not have proper alarms or that the facility is not properly secure.
-Unsanitary conditions
-Evasive behavior, or conflicting or false information from staff when questioned
-Overuse of restraints or sedating medications
-Unexplained or unexpected illnesses, bruises or other injuries
-Verbal abuse
Listen to your loved one if he or she expresses concern about or fear of a particular staff member.
Of course, if you believe a crime has been committed or that your loved one is facing a medical emergency, call 911 or contact law enforcement. The state of West Virginia through its Department of Health and Human Resources provides information about how to report suspected nursing home abuse or neglect.
If you start to notice signs and symptoms of poor care or worse, or when you develop suspicions, document your observations. Keep a dated journal that details what you see and what people tell you. Take pictures. Ask to review your relative's file and nursing notes, with an eye for questionable entries and the knowledge that records can be falsified. Make copies. Attend medical appointments with your loved one. Ask questions of staff and management.
Seek legal counsel
But you should not feel alone in handling this horrible matter. Discuss the situation with an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney with direct experience in nursing home abuse cases. Your lawyer will know what legal action to take and how to conduct an investigation on your behalf.