You may place your loved one in an assisted living facility if they cannot or choose not to live independently. However, you may be taken aback upon discovering that instead of providing your loved one with daily care (i.e., bathing, dressing, feeding, etc), the nurses and other staff members were abusing your loved one. Continue reading to learn what types of abuse may occur and how an experienced California assisted living facility abuse lawyer at Cowdrey & Jenkins LLP can help you and your loved one fight back.
What types of abuse have been reported in an assisted living facility?
Namely, five different types of abuse may be seen in an assisted living facility: physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, and neglect.
Physical abuse is considered any type of harmful physical contact that a nurse or staff member has inflicted on your loved one. Signs of this are as follows:
- Your loved one has bruises, cuts, or scars on their body.
- Your loved one has unexplainable broken bones.
- Your loved one complains about being hit, shoved, or slapped.
- Your loved one appears fearful in the presence of certain nurses or staff members.
Psychological abuse is considered any type of degrading action that a nurse or staff member has inflicted on your loved one. Signs of this are as follows:
- Your loved one is exhibiting unexplainable mood swings.
- Your loved one appears withdrawn or depressed.
- Your loved one complains about being bullied or mocked.
Sexual abuse is considered any type of unwanted touching that a nurse or staff member has inflicted on your loved one. Signs of this are as follows:
- Your loved one has marks on their wrists that indicate the use of physical restraints.
- Your loved one has ripped clothing or undergarments.
- Your loved one appears uncomfortable in the presence of certain nurses or staff members.
Financial abuse is considered any type of stealing that a nurse or staff member has inflicted on your loved one. Signs of this are as follows:
- Your loved one is missing cash.
- Your loved one is missing personal possessions.
- Your loved one’s bank account has been drained.
And lastly, neglect is considered a nurse’s or staff member’s failure to provide care to your loved one. Signs of this are as follows:
- Your loved one’s hygiene has significantly deteriorated.
- Your loved one has lost a significant amount of weight.
- Your loved one has bed sores.
- Your loved one is heavily medicated.
What should I do if I detect abuse is occurring?
Your loved one is vulnerable and may not be able to identify or defend themselves when they are experiencing abuse. This is why you must fulfill your duty in ensuring that are safe.
So if you believe that your loved one is being abused in assisted living, you must look into filing an elder abuse claim against the negligent facility. This may just save countless others from such abuse in the future. To get started, talk to a skilled California elder abuse lawyer today.