It can be disheartening to discover that you believe your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home. You probably worked hard to identify the appropriate facility for your family member, and it can be disappointing to learn that this facility does not take the care and dignity of your loved one as seriously as you do. Here are four signs you loved one is being abused in a nursing home.

Reporting these concerns and speaking with an Arizona nursing home negligence attorney may be the appropriate course of action for you to stop these incidents from happening. Make sure you consult with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible if you believe that your loved one is being hurt.

Sudden Weight Changes

Sudden weight gain or loss can indicate serious medical issues inside a nursing home. Your loved one may be malnourished, or it is possible that he or she is not getting the appropriate attention or type of food from the facility. You should always consult with an Arizona nursing home negligence attorney if this is the case.

Bed Sores

Bed sores are a key sign that your loved one is being neglected and that the dressings and clothing are not being changed on a regular basis. In understaffed nursing homes, this is one of the most common challenges that staff can face, but it is still their responsibility to maintain a basic level of care for all of their patients.

Bruises or Other Unexplained Injuries

Injuries that happen on a regular basis or cannot be explained by your loved one or the staff are definitely cause for concern. This could mean that your loved one is being physically abused or that proper precautions are not being taken to prevent your loved one from falling down inside the facility. If this continues to happen, make sure you keep documentation of what you did in this particular situation and whether or not you reported it to the nursing home. Bringing this to a nursing home negligence attorney in Arizona can help to stop these incidents from happening not just for your loved one, but for others as well.

Your Loved One’s Discomfort in Talking About Conditions

If you notice that your elderly loved one is uncomfortable talking about the conditions of the nursing home or seems meek or timid around staff, then he or she may be a victim of abuse or negligence. Some people are uncomfortable in talking about their situations for fear of retaliation, and this can be a critical sign that something is going on. Make sure you follow your gut and look for other evidence of abuse or neglect so that you can bring it forward to an Arizona nursing home negligence attorney as soon as possible.

This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice regarding Four Signs Your Loved One Is Being Abused in a Nursing Home, or any other personal injury, please feel free to contact Brian T. Allen at  480.461.5335,  log on to udallshumway.com,  or contact an attorney in your area. Udall Shumway PLC is located in Mesa, Arizona and is a full service law firm. We assist Individuals, families, businesses, schools and municipalities in Mesa and the Phoenix/East Valley.