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216-658-5500Call Us Today
Family members deserve to know they can trust the nursing home and care facility to which they entrust their loved one. Too often, though, issues may occur beyond the family’s ability to watch, placing residents at risk of neglect or other mistreatment. Being able to recognize the silent warning signs of elder abuse in Canton nursing homes and care facilities can give families an idea of when something might not be up to standard.
Physical, behavioral, or financial changes in a resident’s well-being may indicate that a facility or an individual is not providing proper care. Rumizen Weisman Attorneys works with Ohio families who are looking for information on their legal options after suspected elder abuse.
216-658-5500 Call Us Today
Rumizen Weisman Attorneys is a personal injury law firm representing people and families from across Ohio who have been affected by serious injury and negligence, including nursing home negligence and elder abuse.
Scott Rumizen personally meets with and guides clients through the legal process, instead of delegating cases to intake teams or case managers. The firm evaluates medical records, facility records, and other evidence. We can then explain Ohio law as it may pertain to suspected nursing home abuse or neglect, along with long-term care facility negligence. Our team can also represent you if you wish to take legal action.
Physical injuries may sometimes be one of the first signs that something may be wrong in a nursing home. Bruises, cuts, burns, and fractures that can’t be explained or happen frequently may be signs of abuse. Nursing home neglect is also often suspected when a person suddenly loses weight, becomes dehydrated, or has untreated medical conditions.
Bedsores that get worse without treatment can also be an indication that a nursing home resident is not getting enough supervision or care. Physical warning signs can sometimes reveal problems in nursing homes, as many elderly residents need so much help from staff members.
Severe cases can be treated at Aultman Hospital.
Changes in a resident’s emotions or behavior may also indicate potential mistreatment. Some residents withdraw, show anxiety, or become unusually fearful in the presence of particular staff members. Other residents may suddenly lose interest in activities they used to enjoy, or they may appear unusually reluctant to speak freely in front of staff during visits.
These behavioral changes could potentially point to emotional abuse, intimidation, or neglect in some situations. Though medical issues and aging can bring about behavioral shifts, families should be alert when these changes surface unexpectedly or without a readily identifiable cause.
Financial exploitation is another type of elder abuse that can happen in long-term care facilities. Signs that someone has been using the resident’s money without permission include:
In some cases, residents may be coerced or tricked into signing documents or giving money to someone, such as facility staff or others who have access to residents. Examining financial statements and keeping in touch with loved ones can sometimes alert family members to irregularities that may suggest financial exploitation.
Documentation can be very useful when the possibility of elder abuse is real. Families should document injuries, discussions with staff members, medical treatment, and other changes in the resident’s condition.
Photographs, medical records, and incident reports, for example, can determine when the injury or change in condition occurred and how it was handled. This documentation may later be used by investigators to see if:
Many older adults are impacted by elder abuse every year. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 6 individuals over age 60 experience abuse in community settings. Abuse can take the form of physical harm, emotional abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation
As many older adults rely on caregivers for help with day-to-day tasks, identifying potential warning signs can help families recognize when a resident may not be receiving adequate care.
Canton residents with suspicions of nursing home abuse can report those concerns to state and local authorities. These agencies monitor care facilities and issue elder abuse penalties for violations. In Stark County, the Ohio Department of Health, which licenses and regulates nursing homes throughout the state, might investigate a complaint involving a nursing home.
The Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can help families who have concerns about a nursing home or other long-term care facility’s treatment of its residents.
Under Ohio Revised Code § 3721.13, nursing home residents have specific rights, including the right to be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Additionally, the statute mandates that the facility provide proper care and maintain a safe environment. Any violations of this statute could present a legal issue regarding the treatment of a nursing home resident.
Financial exploitation is among the most common types of elder abuse. The National Council on Aging estimates that financial exploitation and abuse costs older Americans $28.3 billion annually. Unauthorized withdrawals, pressuring someone to alter financial documents, and the misuse of a resident’s money are all considered forms of financial abuse.
Families can review financial statements and stay involved in a loved one’s financial activities. This can let them spot irregularities that could indicate financial exploitation.
Identifying warning signs of elder abuse in Canton nursing homes and long-term care facilities can be an important step toward protecting a loved one. When these signs raise concerns, families may also want to know what Canton elder abuse laws say about suspected nursing home abuse or neglect.
Rumizen Weisman Attorneys has experience in representing families after a loved one may have suffered a wrong in a care facility. Schedule a consultation to hire an elder abuse lawyer today.
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