If you have a loved one in a nursing home, the last thing you want to consider is that your elder is being neglected or abused. But it happens more frequently than you might imagine.

Ways That a Nursing Home Covers Up Abuse or Neglect

The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home is never easy. You want to feel confident that they are being well cared for. However, that is not always the case. Below are some ways a nursing home may cover up abuse or neglect.

Blaming the Resident

If your loved one is injured, the staff may try to blame them and say they weren’t following the rules or that they fell due to dementia or instability. Staff members may even blame the abuse on another resident. Therefore, it’s essential to watch out for new injuries and ask many questions.

Falsifying Paperwork

The nursing home management may encourage staff members to falsify documents claiming that staff performed routine checks and other duties as expected. They might backdate information if something was skipped or lie altogether.

Failing to Keep Up with Medical Records

Another telltale sign that your elder may not be receiving proper care is that their medical chart is not updated. It may indicate missed medications, skipped doctor’s appointments, and other signs of neglect or abuse.

Not Reporting Abuse or Neglect

Even though nursing homes are required by state law to report any abuse or neglect, often staff members are pressured not to report anything. As a result, nurses or orderlies may continue to do their jobs but fail to take proper action and report the nursing home for infractions because they fear losing their jobs.

Signs of Abuse or Neglect

If your elder shows signs of malnutrition, frequent injuries, infections, bedsores, or changes in their mood or behavior, investigate immediately. When abused or neglected, elders often become withdrawn, depressed, or anxious

Where to Turn for Help

If you suspect your senior loved one is being abused or neglected, contact Baron, Herskowitz, and Cohenitz is one the best medical malpractice lawyers in Florida. If you need free consultation, please contact us by filling the form and we will get back to you.