Nursing Home Abuse in Santa Fe, NM
Unfortunately, there are various types and ways that our elderly loved ones can be taken advantage of in assisted living and nursing home facilities.
Neglect
Neglect is not the same thing as abuse. However, the nursing home is entrusted with taking care of patients who cannot care for themselves. If nursing home staff withhold food or water, fail to maintain your family member’s hygiene, and otherwise neglect them, you may still have the right to financial compensation.
Emotional & Psychological Abuse
Psychological and emotional abuse are some of the most devastating types of abuse a person can endure. Some examples include:
- Name-calling
- Humiliation
- Shame
- Social isolation
- Mocking
- Taking away medical equipment
- Threats of physical violence
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is arguably the most commonly thought of abuse type. Hitting, kicking, punching, burning, and biting are just a few examples of physical abuse. The at-fault party may also face criminal assault and battery charges for physical abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse in nursing homes is one of the most despicable types of abuse. Rape, sexual assault, and other criminal charges may be filed against your abuser. This is in addition to the civil claim you can file against them seeking maximum restitution.
Financial Abuse
One of the lesser-known types of nursing home abuse is financial abuse. Here, the abuser may steal money, make changes to the victim’s power of attorney, write blank checks, forge the victim’s signature, and engage in other types of financial exploitation.
No matter what abuse you or your loved one have been subjected to, you have the right to justice. You can take action today by contacting an experienced Albuquerque nursing home abuse lawyer who can help you make the liable parties pay for their negligence and misconduct.
Signs & Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse
Sadly, nursing home abuse can take many forms. You may not always be able to see signs that your family member is being abused. However, with that in mind, some indications of nursing home abuse that you can keep an eye out for.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of nursing home abuse are:
- Weight loss or gain
- Unexplained bruises, broken bones, cuts, or burns
- Social isolation
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Being uneasy around nursing home staff
- Personality changes
These are only a few of the signs of nursing home abuse. But that doesn’t mean that these are the only signs that your loved one is being abused. If you have suspicions that your family member is suffering from nursing home abuse, you must reach out to an attorney to explore your legal options.
