Nursing Home Concerns: Identifying Elder Abuse

Many wonder about the overall safety and well-being of their loved ones after admittance to a long-term care facility. This puts added pressure on the family should the facility be found insufficient. To better understand the risk factors involved with assisted living and nursing facilities, the care experts at HelpGuide.org have categorized elder abuse in the following ways:

• Sexual Abuse;
• Physical Abuse;
• Financial Exploitation;
• Elder Neglect; and
• Emotional Abuse.

According to the National Institute on Aging, signs of neglectful care may include:

• Withdrawing from activities they normally enjoy;
• Unexplained bruises, scars, or burns;
• Development of bed sores;
• Trouble sleeping;
• Unexplained weight-loss;
• Confusion and/or depression;
• Violent behavior;
• Unkempt appearance;
• Missing money and/or valuable possessions.

When a family is unable to provide care for a loved one in the home, finding adequate placement for their loved one’s long-term needs can be challenging. If you suspect that your loved one residing in an assisted living or nursing home has been subject to neglect or abuse, the Department of Emergency Medicine suggests observing the interactions between your loved one and their residential caregiver. You should document any physical findings, such as bruises and scrapes, by taking photographs and marking the injuries on a body diagram for future reference. It should then be reported to the facility’s administrator and the police.

If your loved one residing in a long-term care facility is showing signs of abuse or neglect, it is imperative that you contact an experienced New York Elder Law Attorney. The attorneys at Hobson-Williams, P.C. are skilled in all aspects of elder law and are dedicated to representing clients with diligence and compassion. Contact the experienced New York elder law attorneys at Hobson-Williams, P.C. for a consultation by calling 866-825-1529 or vising www.thobsonwilliamslaw.com.

Author: Tanya Hobson Williams

Appointed to the bench by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and elected in 2009, Tanya Hobson-Williams was the first African-American Female Justice in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead. Tanya Hobson–Williams obtained her B.A. in Government and Politics from St. John’s University and her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Tanya Hobson-Williams has an active elder law practice assisting senior citizens in obtaining Medicaid for Home Care and Nursing Home Care. She routinely lectures at senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities, law schools and counsels families on a variety of topics of concerns to families caring for the elderly. View all posts by Tanya Hobson Williams