By Dan Noll on December 8th, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse
Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in Springfield Share Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois
As our population ages, the demand for nursing homes and long-term care facilities will continue to rise – including right here in Illinois. Although most nursing homes and long-term care facilities provide excellent care and support for their residents, it is a sad truth that some do not. According to statistics, 10% of Americans over the age of 60 will experience some form of abuse each year. This is true in Illinois, as quarterly violation reports continue to reveal troubling violations in local facilities – including some due to abuse or neglect. Therefore, it’s crucial for families and caregivers to be vigilant and aware of potential warning signs of nursing home abuse in Springfield. Further, once these signs have been identified, it is imperative that victims and their families or caregivers immediately seek the assistance of an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer in Illinois for help.
At the Noll Law Office in Springfield, their compassionate and experienced legal team know how difficult it can be to learn that a loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home or long-term care facility. That’s why they offer free case evaluations for victims and their families, where there is no obligation to sign up right away or pay any fees. In fact, their nursing home abuse lawyers do not collect any legal fees until after you and your family have recovered compensation, and they only receive a portion of what they do recover for you. To learn more about your rights and how the Noll Law Office can help protect them today, call them by dialing (217) 414-8889.
Examples of Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois
Nursing home abuse is a serious concern that can have detrimental effects on the well-being of elderly residents who are suffering from dementia, recovering from surgery, or who are afflicted with other conditions that effect their day-to-day living. Unfortunately, residents who are most vulnerable to abuse are the ones who are most likely to be targeted, including those who are nonverbal, disabled, in a coma, have dementia, or suffer from other serious conditions.
Some of the most common examples of nursing home abuse include the following:
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves the intentional use of force that causes injury or bodily harm to an elderly resident. An example could be anything from punching, kicking, or hitting a resident, to even the improper use of restraints leading to bruises, fractures, or bedsores. Staff members may handle residents roughly during transfers or intentionally inflict pain may also be engaging in physical abuse.
Neglect
Neglect occurs when caregivers fail to meet the basic needs of residents, such as providing adequate food, water, hygiene, or medical attention. This could be intentional, as in ignoring a resident or punishing a resident by not helping him or her. Or neglect could be unintentional, such as forgetting a resident in a bath or from understaffing. Other examples include ignoring calls for assistance, leaving residents in soiled clothing or unchanged diapers, or withholding necessary medications like painkillers.
Emotional/Psychological Abuse
Emotional abuse involves actions that cause mental anguish, distress, or emotional pain to the resident. There are several ways that this could occur, including from verbal abuse, humiliation, isolation, or manipulation. Caregivers may use threats or intimidation to control and instill fear in residents are also emotionally or psychologically abusing a resident.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse in a nursing home involves virtually all sexual contact, harassment, or exploitation of an elderly resident. There is almost no instance where any sexual contact in a nursing home is permissible, so if it happens, it is nearly guaranteed to be sexual abuse. But not all sexual abuse has to be the result in intercourse, with some examples including any inappropriate touching, sexual coercion, or forcing residents to engage in any type of sexual act against their will.
Other Types of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Some other types of conduct that could be classified as nursing home abuse or neglect include the following:
- Medical Negligence
- Financial Abuse or Financial Exploitation
- Inadequate Supervision
- Social Isolation
- Improper Nutrition or Hydration
- Nursing Home Malpractice, and
- Other types of abuse, neglect, and negligence that the experienced nursing home abuse lawyers in Springfield could handle for you.
Common Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Illinois
Recognizing the warning signs of nursing home abuse is crucial in ensuring the well-being and safety of your loved ones. Some of the most common indications and critical warning signs that the Noll Law Office wants you to be aware of includes the following:
- Unexplained injuries – Keep an eye out for unexplained personal injuries such as bruises, cuts, fractures, or welts. These injuries may indicate physical abuse or improper handling.
- Emotional changes – Pay attention to sudden changes in mood or behavior, such as increased anxiety, withdrawal, or depression. Emotional abuse can have profound effects on mental well-being.
- Poor hygiene – Neglect can manifest through poor personal hygiene, including unwashed clothes, unchanged diapers, or unattended grooming needs.
- Weight loss or malnutrition – Inadequate nutrition or intentional withholding of food may result in weight loss. Malnutrition can have severe health implications for elderly residents.
- Changes in finances – Financial exploitation can lead to unexplained withdrawals, changes in wills, or missing personal belongings.
- Withdrawal and avoidance of eye contact – Residents who experience abuse may avoid eye contact out of fear or shame. This behavioral change can be indicative of various forms of mistreatment.
- Bedsores – Prolonged neglect or improper care can lead to the development of painful bedsores, especially in residents with limited mobility.
- Unexplained medication changes – Abrupt changes in medication, unauthorized alterations, or failure to administer prescribed drugs may signal medical neglect or negligence.
- Social isolation – Residents experiencing abuse may be isolated intentionally. Be aware of restrictions on visitation, communication, or participation in social activities.
- Fear or tension around caregivers – Pay attention to the resident’s demeanor in the presence of caregivers. Fear, tension, or unease may indicate abusive behavior.
Not Sure If You Are Seeing the Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse in Springfield? Call the Noll Law Office
Nursing home abuse, neglect, and malpractice is a very serious problem in the United States and in Illinois. Victims and their families who have suffered from any inappropriate or outright criminal conduct at a nursing home should call the experienced nursing home abuse lawyers in Springfield at the Noll Law Office. They are fifth-generation lawyers who are dedicated to their community and those who here. To learn more about how they can help you and your family, contact them today to schedule a free consultation.