Do You Suspect That Your Loved One Is A Victim Of Elder Abuse?


As loved one’s age, it can be quite difficult to provide the care and attention that they need, especially if they have a diagnosis of a difficult medical condition. For this reason, many Ohio families choose to place their loved ones in a health care facility or nursing home. This decision comes with the expectation that the facility will provide appropriate and compassionate care.

Unfortunately, many of these facilities do not meet these expectations, and the people entrusted to their care may suffer from neglect, mistreatment, or even abuse. If you suspect that your loved one is a victim of elder abuse or any type of mistreatment at the hands of a nursing home or caretaker, you have the right to take legal action on his or her behalf.

The various types of abuse suffered by the elderly

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, a large number of elder abuse cases go unreported. Extensive research and evaluation revealed that these are the most common types of abuse and mistreatment experienced by the elderly:

  • Physical abuse;
  • Psychological or verbal abuse;
  • Sexual abuse;
  • Financial exploitation; and
  • Neglect.

Elderly individuals who are residents of long-term care facilities or inpatient rehabilitation centers are most susceptible to mistreatment. Some individuals are unaware of the mistreatment, afraid to speak out or confused about their circumstances.

Recognizing the signs of abuse

If your loved one lives in an inpatient facility or nursing home, you may be unaware of what happens when you are not present. It is impossible to monitor constantly, which is why it is useful to know the signs of a potential problem. The following could be signs that something may be wrong:

  • Unexplained bruises;
  • Bedsores;
  • Infections;
  • Complications from missed or incorrect dosages of medicine;
  • Broken bones or signs of an unexplained fall;
  • Dehydration or sudden weight loss;
  • Elopement;
  • Depression and unwillingness to communicate; and
  • Missing personal possessions or money.

If you see these signs and suspect that your loved one is not receiving quality care, you will find it beneficial to take immediate action on his or her behalf. You deserve answers, and your family member deserves safe and effective care. An experienced nursing home abuse attorney knows how to effectively investigate these cases and determine what happened.

If there are valid grounds for legal action, your legal ally can advocate on behalf of your loved one and hold liable parties accountable for abuse and mistreatment.

Phone: 866-492-6365
Fax: 866-492-6365
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Cleveland, OH 44113