At Frenkel & Frenkel, we understand the importance of having the best personal injury lawyer that you can find on your side. Even in places that are due reverence and respect such as retirement homes, individuals can be taken advantage of and may need legal counsel. As your nursing home abuse lawyers in Dallas, TX, Frenkel & Frenkel would like to help you determine how to determine nursing home abuse and what you should do about it.
Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Elderly Neglect
Not all nursing home abuse will be apparent; in fact, nursing home abuse is typically difficult to prove. You’ll have to look for signs that this is occurring – some of the most prevalent ones are silence around nursing home staff members, emotional withdrawal, behavioral changes, recent and sudden financial problems, bedsores, unexplained bruises, bleeding, or other physical discomfort.
What to Do When You Suspect Elderly Neglect
If you suspect elderly neglect, first stay calm. You may feel emotional if you notice something unusually wrong that brings up the question of neglect or abuse. Be rational, learn the facts, and determine the best resolution possible for you and your loved one.
Make sure to talk with your loved one about what’s going on – preferably in private where he or she can be completely open with you. You may want to speak with other residents of the nursing home as well to see if they’ve had anything unusual happen to them or if they’ve noticed unusual behavior and interactions.
Talk to the nursing home management and staff about your concerns and potential abuse. It’s possible that the signs that you have noticed are actually unrelated. Be sure to hear the other side out before taking any action against them. However, if they don’t or can’t give you a satisfactory answer to what is going on, you should consider more formal action. Management should be willing and able to talk about any situation that you believe may be cause for concern. Get feedback from different departments and levels within the retirement community organization.
If you suspect that elderly neglect or nursing home abuse is occurring, you should call the National Center on Elder Abuse at 1-800-677-1116. However, if you believe that there is something clearly wrong or imminent danger, go straight to the police.
After you’ve reported nursing home abuse to the authorities, you still have to take care of several issues. First, you will need to find your loved one a new nursing home or place to live. Many elders are hesitant to go to a new nursing home, often believing that the new one will be worse than the current one. Do your own research on the nursing home and confirm it meets your standards and that the staff is kind and considerate toward your loved one’s needs.
Contact Your Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Finally, if you need legal counsel in a nursing home abuse or neglect situation, contact the compassionate lawyers at Frenkel & Frenkel, who are considered among the best personal injury lawyers in Dallas. Schedule a free consultation by phone at 1-800-834-0000 or by email.
