3 Signs of Nursing Home Negligence Your Elderly Parent May Not Be Aware Of

The purpose of nursing homes is to provide high quality care to the elderly its disabled residents. According to the Illinois Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act, they have a duty to do so.

However, abuse and neglect are common in such facilities. If you have elderly parents in a nursing home, you should be vigilant to ensure they are not being abused. Here are some signs you should look out for.

Bruises and Scrapes

Scrapes and bruises can easily appear on thin skin. If your parents have been handled roughly by the arm or torso, resulting marks should be apparent. Pay extra attention to their ankles, upper arms and wrists. These areas are the first areas to be grabbed during an assault or rough handling.

Unexplained Fractures

The elderly have frail bones which can break due to accidents or assault. If your elderly loved one is being neglected, chances are they may suffer fractures by falls or accidents, which could have been avoided with care. Common areas you should focus on include the hips, elbows and wrists.

Broken Possessions

Broken possessions such as glasses can be a sign of elder abuse as well. For instance, a broken denture can be the result of a strike across the face or a fall from being pushed or neglected. Check if your parents have unexplained cuts and bruises on their face.

If the nursing home personnel become defensive when you confront them about alleged abuse issues, chances are they are trying to hide their neglect and abuse. Also, if you don’t see any visible signs of abuse, but your parents are fearful or are easily startled by loud noises, you should still be concerned. Take as many pictures as you can as evidence and record any details you think are important when you visit your parents in the facility.

Once that is done, hire an attorney from the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens. We have years of experience representing elderly victims who have been abused by negligent nursing care facilities in Chicago, Waukegan, Woodstock, Libertyville and Antioch, IL. Call us today for a free consultation and set your mind at ease knowing your elderly parents will receive the compensation they deserve. We have an excellent track record of winning such cases and can promise a favourable outcome for yours as well.