Any type of elder abuse is unacceptable and must be immediately dealt with. And unfortunately, this type of abuse may even occur to your loved one in the promised safety of their residential care facility. Read on to discover the ways in which this may occur and how a seasoned California residential care facility abuse lawyer at Cowdrey & Jenkins LLP can protect you and your loved one.
What is a residential care facility?
A residential care facility is essentially an assisted living residence. Meaning, this facility is best for elders who are still capable of doing day-to-day tasks but not to the extent of being able to live independently. And so, they require the helping hand of a nurse or care facility staff for housekeeping, grocery shopping, personal care, etc.
How can residential care facility abuse occur?
You may have placed your loved one in a residential care facility so that they can be properly taken care of. However, the unfortunate truth is that, with elders being part of a vulnerable position, they are at a much higher risk of being abused or neglected in these care settings than if they were to stay at home.
You must not underestimate the possibility of abuse or neglect occurring in your loved one’s residential care facility. Instead, you should keep a keen eye out for any of the following signs:
- Signs of abuse:
- Your loved one has burns or bruises on their wrists and ankles, signaling that restraints were used.
- Your loved one has broken bones from a “fall,” even though this is unlike them.
- Your loved one exhibits mood swings or is withdrawn, even though this is unlike them.
- Your loved one expresses fear when in the presence of a nurse or staff member.
- Signs of neglect:
- Your loved one has rapidly declining oral or dental care.
- Your loved one appears malnourished or dehydrated.
- Your loved one has not been taking regular baths.
- Your loved one has not been taking their prescriptions.
In addition to these signs, you should take anything that your loved one says seriously. For example, you must believe them if they say that a nurse or staff member handles them roughly, speaks to them harshly, or threatens them.
What is the statute of limitations for an elder abuse claim?
Once you confirm that your loved one has been made a victim of abuse, you must take immediate action against the negligent nurse, staff member, or residential care facility. More specifically, you must file your elder abuse claim within the state of California’s statute of limitations of two years.
For more information on how to go about this, do not hesitate in reaching out to a competent California elder abuse lawyer today.