When you put a loved one into a nursing home, there are naturally some feelings of guilt. While most Gilbert nursing homes go to great lengths to provide excellent care for their residents, there are others where severe forms of abuse against residents take place. Should you suspect your loved one is being abused in a nursing home, there are several steps you should immediately take to get answers to your questions.
Notify the Nursing Home’s Administration
If you have any concerns about how your loved one is being treated, always let the nursing home’s administrator know as soon as possible. By doing so, you will not only be letting them know you are aware of potential abuse, but also force them to conduct an investigation and file a report, all of which could be critical should you need to pursue legal action.
Document Changes
If you believe your loved one is being abused, make sure you document any changes you notice during your visits. These can include changes in behavior, cuts and bruises that cannot be explained, dramatic weight loss, bedsores, and other factors that may be at play in these situations. To ensure you have proof of these changes, it is best to take photos as well as make video recordings of any conversations you may have with your loved one regarding possible abuse.
Visit at Different Times
In most abuse situations, there are certain staff members who work at the same time each day who are responsible for the abuse. Therefore, it is best if you stagger your visiting hours so that you can get a better idea of when the abuse may be occurring. For example, should you be visiting and notice your loved one seems scared or nervous around certain staff members, you may have discovered the source of the abuse.
Rather than keep your concerns to yourself and let a needless tragedy occur, schedule a consultation with the legal professionals at Tobler Law. By doing so, you will be able to discuss your situation in greater detail and get answers to your most pressing questions.