Imagine visiting your loved one in a nursing home and you find out they have been badly injured. You rush to their room to see that their health has gone down significantly, and they look like they have been through hell. You are overtaken by the shock, and you find it hard to comprehend what happened.
The first question that will come to your mind is why were you not informed of the incident. This should be a red flag for you if you find out what happened only after visiting. There will be other things that will trouble your mind, such as what happened and what you should do.
In such instances, it can be best to talk to an expert. If your loved one is hesitant to speak, you can investigate the matter on your own to find out what happened.
1. Get Medical Treatment
The health of your loved one is of the utmost importance. Your priority should be to do whatever you can to improve it. If you suspect that the injuries to your loved one are a result of nursing home abuse or your loved one tells you so, then you should consider moving them to a hospital.
Depending on the severity of the injuries, you might have to make arrangements to get your loved one moved safely. If the injuries were a result of a fall, there could be broken bones. Things can get tricky if the hip bone is broken, and transporting your loved one can become an issue.
2. Involve the Authorities
In case your loved one complains about abuse or you suspect abuse, you should get in touch with the authorities right away. Your goal should be to bring things on record and get a police report made of the incident. The police will also be able to interview witnesses to see if their accounts match up.
You can also make a formal report with the nursing home administration to make sure the issue is investigated internally. By getting the authorities involved, you will be able to make sure that a version of events can be recorded from both sides. This can be of help later on to you and your loved one.
3. Document the Injuries
Documenting the injuries can be a good idea in case you suspect abuse. The wounds can tell a story, and an expert can easily determine what caused the wounds in your loved one. If the injuries were a result of some object being used for hitting, there would be signs.
Similarly, if the injuries were a result of a fall that was not accidental, there will be resistance injuries that can be indicative of a struggle. Documenting the injuries also enables you to support your version of events. If the nursing home denies your allegations of abuse later on, you can use the photos and videos you took to prove them wrong.
4. Consult a Specialist Lawyer
Talking to a lawyer who specializes in nursing home abuse cases can open up new doors for you. A lawyer can point out rights that you might be unaware of. Similarly, you can get a lot of useful information after you consult with a specialist lawyer.
My Nursing Home Abuse Guide can also be a source of wisdom for you. You can read up on the matter to understand the indications and signs of nursing home abuse. There can be instances where your loved one might be facing abuse that does not leave a mark physically, but there can be signs.
By educating yourself, you will be able to spot these signs and ascertain whether your loved one is in good hands or not. This can provide you with some comfort and peace of mind.
5. Gather Information
If you suspect abuse at a nursing home but are not sure what you should do about it, you can always start by gathering information. It could be that your loved one is hesitant to speak up out of fear of more abuse, but if you suspect something, you should not ignore your instinct.
You can look up the nursing home online to see if any bad reviews have popped up recently. Similarly, you can hire a private investigator to confirm your suspicions of abuse. If you have involved the authorities, you can get a copy of their report to see what they found out about the place.
6. Try to Get Testimonies
Testimonies from the residents of a nursing home can provide you with an accurate account of what happened. News can travel fast in a nursing home, and if a caretaker is abusing the residents, it can be common knowledge.
You can ask the residents questions about such individuals. You can also inquire about what has been done so far to counter the acts of a rogue caretaker. In case there is no one trying to stop a caretaker from abusing the residents, there can be deep-rooted issues with that said nursing home.
In case a nursing home is protecting a particular employee, you can ask for testimonials from the other caretakers. These testimonials can be perfect to prove your case if the matter goes to court.
7. Consider Emotional Support
In case your loved one has suffered abuse at the hands of a caretaker, it can be a very traumatic experience. They can be scared to talk or share what happened to them, and to help them, you will need to seek counseling.
With the help of a professional, your loved one will be able to move past their trauma and start living their life to the fullest. There can be instances where counseling can become essential before your loved one can be moved to a different nursing home.
However, with proper counseling, your loved one will be able to make the appropriate adjustments to their attitude, which will ensure good mental and physical health for them.
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