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| 1.5 Million Americans live in Nursing Homes. 17,000 Nursing Homes across the country. |
Average ratio of nursing
assistant to patient is 1:17 |
| It is estimated that as many as 35,000 die prematurely every year due to negligence, abuse and neglect. |
| Nursing homes receive more than $27
billion dollars in government funds mostly from Medicare and Medicaid programs |
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> more
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| · Bruises |
| · Black Eyes |
| · Welts |
| · Broken Bones |
| · Bedsores |
| > more
info |
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Signs
and Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse |
The following are some of the early warning signs of
nursing home abuse. Many cases are thought to
go unreported because a loved one may fear
disclosing information about their treatment or many
simply may not have the physical and/or mental
capabilities to. If you witness any of these
warning signs you should contact an attorney that
specializes in nursing home neglect. They will
have the resources needed to conduct an independent
research to determine if, in fact, your loved one is
being abused. What may seem to be a minor
signal may be the result of a much greater problem.
Warning
Signs
First, look for physical abuse such as, bed sores,
rapid weight gain or loss, frequent or unusual
fractures and breaks, malnutrition or dehydration,
over medicated, arks on the wrists (restraints?),
lack of activity, untrained staff, isolated in their
room, and/or bruises or other marks on the body.
NOTE:
Your loved one may not tell you about because
they may be too frightened, they may be threatened
by the abuser, they may think that the abuse is
normal, they may not even be aware they are being
abused. And finally, they may feel they deserve to
be punished.
Other
signs may come from the abusers themselves. They
(the abusers) may not call when your loved one is
taken to the hospital for treatments. The staff may
not be keeping you informed of what is going on with
your loved on. They can't explain odd marks or
bruises on the elder. Frequent emergency room
visits, and not contacting you when the latter
occurs.
As always, if you are suspicious, call an attorney
that specializes in Elder and Long Term Healthcare
Law!Signs of
Abuse
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1 |
Unexplained
bruises, cuts, burns, sprains, or fractures in
various stages of healing |
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2 |
Bedsores
or frozen joints |
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3 |
Unexplained
venereal disease or genital infections;
vaginal or anal bleeding; torn, stained, or
blooding underclothing |
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4 |
Sudden
changes in behavior |
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5 |
Staff
refusing to allow visitors to see resident or
delays in allowing visitors to see resident |
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6 |
Staff
not allowing resident to be alone with visitor |
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7 |
Resident
being kept in an over-medicated state |
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8 |
Loss
of resident's possessions |
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9 |
Sudden
large withdrawals from bank accounts or
changes in banking practices |
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10 |
Abrupt
changes in will or other financial documents
problem |
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