Although not always obvious, there are some warning signs that can indicate nursing home neglect or abuse has occurred.  Unfortunately, many cases go unreported because a loved one may be afraid to tell someone, feel threatened by an abuser, think that the neglect or abuse is normal, is unable to communicate due to physical or mental limitations, or fear they will become a burden to their families.

Examples of nursing home abuse and neglect include:

• Failure to care for wounds and bedsores
• Assault and battery (slapping, pushing, shaking)
• Failure to administer proper medication
• Failure to assist in personal hygiene
• Failure to provide a safe and clean environment
• Failure to provide adequate medical care
• Failure to provide adequate services and assistance for incontinent residents
• Failure to provide proper nutrition

The most obvious signs of abuse are physical ones.  If you witness any of these warning signs you should contact a Pennsylvania elder abuse lawyer that focuses in nursing home abuse.  A nursing home negligence attorney familiar with nursing home rules and regulations will have the resources to conduct independent research and determine if legal action is needed.   What may seem to be an insignificant signal may be a sign of a much greater problem.

You should be concerned if a nursing home patient has:

• Bedsores or pressure ulcers
• Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, sprains, or fractures in various stages of healing
• Rapid weight gain or loss
• Jaundice or pale complexion
• Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections; torn, stained, or blooding underclothing
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Been kept in an over-medicated state
• Lost his or her possessions
• Suddenly changed his or her banking practices
• Abruptly changed his or her will or financial documents

Other signs may come from the abusers themselves such as:

• Not calling a patient’s family when the patient is taken to the hospital for treatments
• Not keeping a patient’s family informed of the patient’s status
• Not being able to explain a patient’s marks or bruises
• Refusing to allow visitors to see a patient
• A delay in allowing visitors to see a patient
• Not allowing visitors to be alone with a patient

If you have reason to suspect elder neglect or abuse, you need a Pennsylvania nursing home neglect attorney familiar with elder and healthcare law. Contact Munley, Munley, & Cartwright, with offices conveniently located in Scranton, Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Plains, Hazleton, Harrisburg and Hamlin. Please call us at (800) 318-LAW1 or contact us online.  Our PA nursing home abuse lawyers are here to answer your questions and discuss how to protect your legal rights. Our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through teamwork and the use of our considerable resources and experience.